Exchange student shares German highlights
What I learnt from this trip was that people shouldn’t be scared to take a step, the world is a small place.
Seeing the world through new eyes, exchange student Phindi Mthembu, 25, of Umgababa shared her experiences of visiting Germany recently.
Phindi was to accompany another exchange student, Portia Ngcobo of Umkomaas, to Berlin, where they would split to stay with their respective families, but at the last minute the Germans decided they must travel separately to fully immerse themselves in the cultural experience. She flew out of Durban on 22 June and back home on 23 July.
“Having never flown before, I was a bit nervous, especially to be on my own. It was such a good experience for me and an eye-opener. I’m definitely more open-minded and I can stand up for myself. I have more self-confidence and it’s all because I got to experience new things and a new culture.”
Phindi flew into Hamburg, where her host family, Volklek and Helma Kaikez, met her at the airport and drove her to their home town of Hiedie. “It’s a really small town, but nice. My host family was very nice and welcoming. They taught me some German phrases and wanted to learn some Zulu. They introduced me to a lot of their friends, who are also exchange hosts. In the first week, they took me sightseeing a lot.”
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Phindi then travelled to Mosetsem in the Black Forest region to meet up with other exchange students from 35 different nationalities for two weeks. “I met people from Russia, Brazil and all over the world. I got to chat to everyone and by the end of the camp, we were a family. Many of them were fascinated about Africa and South Africa. I was the first South African they had ever met. It was a nice experience, for me and for them.”
She then got to explore Berlin on her own for three nights. “That was the best part of the whole trip. I met the Kaikez’s daughter Nina, who lives in Berlin. She’s 24 and has visited South Africa before, so we got on and had lots to talk about, and she showed me around the city.” Phindi was then taken to Hamburg to catch her flight home.
“What I learnt from this trip was that people shouldn’t be scared to take a step, the world is a small place. Take the initiative. I missed our food while I was away, especially chips. The German food is very nice and I got to experience a lot of different dishes. Drinking beer is a way of life there, it’s like drinking water. Their infrastructure is very good and everything runs on time. It was such a nice trip and I wish I could go back.”
Phindi’s travel expenses as well as spending money was all covered by Amanzimtoti Lions.
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