Jonathan Jacobson

Motivation to study physics in Kenya

February 2006

When I was a child my father used to tell us stories about his time as a development aid volunteer. He spent some time in Kenya building landing strips and his stories varied over topics like the work with Kenyans, traveling by train, the art of getting rid off termite hills, etc.. He also visited the University of Nairobi to read law. I would like to say that from that moment on I was fascinated by Africa and that those stories evoked my wish to work and study there. To be truly honest with you, they did not at that point. But it made me understand that Kenya must be a beautiful country.

The announcement of the Berlin-Nairobi Exchange, which I received in late October, therefore needed a day to kick in. Originally my plan was to join the Erasmus programme and go to England after my Vordiplom, but then I realised that it would be much more interesting and challenging to dive into Kenyan society. For when you try to figure out where your house stands in the global village it is a good idea to get an overview from your neighbours roof, but for a truly astounding new perspective you have to go up a hill.

If there is one thing I learned in my life it is that there is more than one view on a situation, that there is more than one answer to a problem. During my second exchange to St. Petersburg I had a long conversation with the grandmother of my host. She is a professor for German literature and we spoke about her life in the Soviet Union. Somehow we where getting nowhere. It took me some time to realise that this was my fault. I wanted to discuss the political and social system and oppression, for that was practicly all we learned in school, and so I could not see that she was not avoiding the topic but merely had not experienced it as such. Her Soviet Union and my Soviet Union differed and I was not smart and openminded enough to ask the right questions.

So I have learned my lesson. Kenya would be ideal to put it to work. Kenya is one of stablest democracies in Eastern Africa and one of the most dynamic economies. It has mastered to incorporate dozens of different peoples and maintained peace on a continent where conflicts between different ethnic groups have torn apart many countries. What is the Kenyan view on federalism, the state and politics? What do they think are the drawbacks and benefits from globalization? Do they think the African Union is going to be the leading institution in Africa in 21st century? Furthermore, what do Kenyan students think of life and studies? What are their plans in the future? And where do they stand in the ongoing battle The Rolling Stones vs. The Beatles? I would like to thrive on Kenyan culture, that's what made me apply.

I shall try to answer you why I think I am especially well suited for a stay in Kenya.

Firstly, I have got four siblings, so I think I am able to cope with different wishes and expectation, I can fit into a social group without forcing my thoughts and believes on it but also without substituting them. I am open-minded to different approaches to life.

Secondly, I am communicative and friendly to people. I have no problem with making new friends and acquaintances.

Thirdly, I have broad experience with intercultural exchange, due to over ten guest students my family hosted in the last 15 years and my stays in Russia. I have a pretty fair command of the English language, and speak basic French and Russian. I am sure I could use my experience in learning those languages for a basic study of Kisuaheli.

I would like to join the solar energy project. I have the chance to attend an introductory course into solid matter physics in my fourth semester, so I would have a basis and could benefit from that project the most. Also, since solar energy could be a major help especially to developing contries, I am very interessted in this technology and would like to learn more about it.

If you send me to Kenya I shall foster the exchange to the best of my abilities. I will try to learn as much as possible as well in Physics as in life.