Motivation
February 2003
Why abroad?
Since the time it was clear to me that I want to study
at university, going abroad represented an interesting opportunity to me.
In order to get many valuable experiences it is not enough to travel, because
being a tourist in a foreign country does not offer the same opportunities
than living and studying there for a longer period. I have already experienced
this during two longer stays, one in Scotland and the other in Spain, before
I began with my studies. My wish to learn how different cultures deal with
the realities of this world, however, was not completely fulfilled during
these two stays. I expect a student exchange to be far more intensive regarding
an integration into a different culture. In Spain as well as in Scotland,
I made use of the possibility to learn as much of the foreign language as
I could, a welcome side effect. In Kenya, I hope to improve my English and
I would be happy to get the chance to learn a completely new language. Doing
so will raise the chances of making friends, which I think is necessary to
feel at home. Another chance that one gets from being abroad is to leave
your daily routine and to look at your life at home from the outside, which
can offer new perspectives. I have experienced this very positively during
my stay in Scotland. From the academic point of view it is an advantage to
experience different ways of teaching physics and by that, improving one's
independence in studying physics.
Why East-Africa?
Africa is the continent which I know least. I can hardly imagine a city
like Nairobi, on one hand with all the hectic rush and on the other hand
with partly the same problems that we have in Berlin. Most Europeans including
myself have a picture of Africa as a continent with wild, wide and pure
landscapes and people living their lifes in a traditional way. To overcome
this stereotypical view, I want to go there, to get a picture of the "real"
Africa. I expect almost everything in Africa to be different from what I
am familiar with. This concerns more practical things like food and climate,
but also things relevant for the general state of being, like the historical
and social background of the people. Additionally, there will be the new
experience of being, as a white student, part of a minority. In an unfamiliar
surrounding like Nairobi, studying physics can be an important element to
hold on to, since the structure is familiar to me. When I tell people that
I want to go to Africa to study there, they often cannot believe that studying
is possible there. But I cannot imagine Africa of being really disadvantageous
concerning studying physics, especially theoretical physics where you can
come by with pencil and paper. Of course, Africa has plenty of other attractions
apart from that. An essential point for me is the outstanding nature. East-Africa
offers many opportunities for mountaineering and there are some nature parks
which I am looking forward to visit. My most important reason for going
to Africa is the fact that I want to experience a country with a different
culture as mine.
Why the University of Nairobi?
I have read about the project on the internet shortly after I began my
studies at the Freie Universität Berlin and since then I want to go
to Kenya. The exchange programme offers me the unique possibility to study
in a foreign country without neglecting my career. To study at the University
of Nairobi, the best university, as I read, between the Sahara and South-Africa,
offers the chance to spend a year in Africa while seriously studying physics.
I might not be able to transfer all the credits from the University of Nairobi
to Berlin. However, I will study courses in physics which are relevant for
my studies in Berlin. I have read on the internet about the courses the University
of Nairobi offers and I have already found some that suit my interests. Last
but not least, the University of Nairobi is interesting to me due to the
community spirit among the students. I was told about it by students that
have already been there. Unfortunately, this spirit was lost at the German
universities and I would be glad to experience this way of studying. I
have also heard about the small classes at the University of Nairobi, which
sounds attractive. I really like the idea of the exchange and I would be
delighted to participate in it. I am aware of the fact that it is harder
for students of the University of Nairobi to come to the Freie Universität
Berlin than the other way around. If I can be of any help in improving the
current situation during my stay, I will try my best, e.g. by informing people
about the project.
To summarise, Kenya offers the unique chance for me to study physics in
a new and interesting surrounding. I hope, that it will allow me to make
some irreplaceable experiences.
The year 2003/04 is the best time for me to go abroad. Directly after the
Vordiplom examinations I am still open to any subject area within physics
and also already able to study more independently. Personally, it would
suit my plans perfectly because my girlfriend will participate in another
exchange programme with Spain at the same time.
It would be wonderful if I had the opportunity to study physics for one year
at the University of Nairobi.
Mario Konschake, February
2003