Jakob Emmel

Motivation to study physics in Kenya

February 2006

I would like to summarise my motivation to go to Kenya as well as to give an explanation into why I would like to study specifically at Moi University or Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

In my opinion, it is a personal gain for any student to be able to study abroad for some time. Every university offers a different choice of lecture courses and the way they are conducted especially regarding the graduate courses. In order to encounter new experiences and to enlarge my knowledge it would therefore be desirable for me to take part in the exchange programme. In Kenya, the possibilities to carry out independent projects are unique in their extend. Especially projects related to solar cells and renewable energies appeal to me very much. As English has an ever increasing meaning within science, the scientific work, which in Kenya is conducted in English, would be a good preparation for my future development. Because of those reasons, I consider participating in the student exchange program with Kenya to be a personal gain for my studies and my professional as well as my personal development.

Every contact with a foreign culture enables the individual to learn something new about oneself. The interaction with the Kenyan people would be a great challenge as well as a chance to get to know and to understand their customs and their mentality.

To study in Kenya would also enable me to get to know the wonderful African nature that was previously known to me through television only. It would interest me a lot to compare the images seen in television documentaries with the African reality.

As Moi University and JKUAT are not situated within a city marked by the West but in the real Africa, I hope to be able to experience the Kenyan culture in an even more profound way, far away from most European influences. I am eager to get to know the family atmosphere on the campus and in the lecture rooms. I consider this to be the best way to get to know as much as possible about African culture. Through my presence there I will be able to experience many things previously unknown to me and I think that the students there will gain new insights into my way of life as well. I hope that I will be able to make them curious for my culture, so that an exchange with them could take place. The fact that some Kenyan lecturers have done their postgraduate studies in Germany and Sweden seems to confirm this hope.

A conversation with Sebastian Röleft a positive impression of the student research projects. JKUAT seems to be one of the leading scientific centres with regard to solar energy. The enthusiasm there is great and I think that there seems to be the possibility that ideas for creative projects would be welcomed. As there are no opportunities in Mainz to work within the field of solar energy I am eager to learn the basics at JKUAT together with many like-minded persons and in the following be able to gain practical experience with solar cells.

I would like to invest my complete energy into this exchange programme. The exchange with Kenya would make a dream come true for me as it would enable me to get to know the Kenyan people through studying, living and working with them and so getting to know their culture and their way of life in a very intensive way. I would be very grateful for this chance!