The institutions are collaborating in areas of curriculum development for a module development under constrained conditions for Honours in Development Studies, and the development of innovation and Entrepreneurship in various fields.
Both students studying International Business Studies say they are enjoying the South African culture and UMP campus life. The pair share more.
We were intrigued…
To see a newly built university that is as big as ours. And that the climate is very different from Germany.
Our first experience…
Was overwhelming. I remember we were picked up in a small car and the first thing we were confused about, was how to get in. We accidentally opened the driver’s door because in our country we drive on the other side of the road.
That was the first African experience that was different from Germany. We also realised that people here have a different time management compared to back home.
We are studying…
International Business Studies in Germany and the programme requires us to study abroad for one semester. We decided to come to UMP because we had not been to South Africa before, so it is also good to try something new and exciting.
UMP is amazing…
People here are very friendly and helpful. Whenever something is up you can easily reach out to them. We felt really welcomed at the university of Mpumalanga. Where we come from classes are big with thousands of students and the professors will never get to know you personally or recognize your face.
UMP is different. Most importantly is that the lecturers here are very helpful. If ever you have a question you can approach them. In Germany there’s a distance between lecturers and students.
The teaching style…
Is similar to the one we have in Germany. It is impressive for a new university.
The big challenge was…
Struggling with some of the lecturers’ accents but we got used to it, now we can understand everything perfectly.
Tests and assignments…
Are so many and in between all that, we have group work and presentations, which is a lot of work for us. In Germany it’s different in that we have a semester with lectures and only one exam you have to study for at the end.
Working in groups…
Is different and we are still struggling with some concepts. In Germany as soon as you get an assignment there is already a plan mate assigned to you as well. We meet on the same day and allocate each other with work, way before the due date.
We love UMP events…
Especially the campus vibe and at res. We are currently staying at the new residences. The rooms are beautiful and very spacious. It is a very safe environment.
Our favourite event was the Heritage Day one, where we got to see different South African cultures and traditions displayed through art, music and dance. We got to see the diversity of the country.
We are exploring Mpumalanga…
There is a lot of travelling we have done lately. We went to Durban and Johannesburg during recess time. We spent the first week at The Kruger National Park and we got to see the Big Five, which was awesome. It’s not like going to the zoo. We actually got to see the animals in their natural habitat, and the history of the people at Sudwala Caves
The currency is very low here so we actually could afford to travel and rent a car for half a year for a reasonable price. But what was really exciting is that we got to be in a taxi, which was very crowded and it felt awkward.
SA weather is…
Great and the best. We are enjoying the sun. This time in Germany it’s getting colder and colder and here it is getting hotter so we have got an extended summer, which is very nice.
@ Story and Pictures by: Cleopatra Makhaga