In Düsseldorf, Germany, I strolled along the Rhine River, soaking in the picturesque landscape and lively atmosphere. The eclectic mix of modern architecture and historic landmarks was captivating. Exploring the quaint cobblestone streets, I indulged in local delicacies at charming cafes, immersing myself in the rich culture of Düsseldorf.

Shawn

My experience in Germany so far it’s going as alluring as I expected. For the first time, I saw a Tesla, a Lamborghini and the latest Audi. I also got the chance from Kerim to sit in the cars mentioned above. Pulchritudinous evergreen plants everywhere added a glimpse definition of beauty. The weather can be favorable at some moments but at some, no. It can really become extremely cold in a peculiar way but it’s really good. Furthermore,Kerim showed me one of the biggest mosques in Germany and a lot of churches and it was really interesting. Other than that so far I think Germany is really a good and peaceful country in terms of different cultural diversities and education systems. I’ve also came across a street that is having the same name as one of our towns in Namibia. It shows like what the Germans did to our ancestors was good. The idea of having streets named after our town is unbearable to the Namibians because it indirectly gives us a feeling that they have the pride of what they did. Theodor König Gesamtschule is really an organized school. Learners are well disciplined. The teaching methods are really simplified and makes it easy for the learners to easily comprehend a certain subject topic. By this I mean they have a greater exposure to vast amounts of information and knowledge than the Namibian kids. This is due to the fact that they all have electronics unlike the Namibian kids. In conclusion, naming of streets in Germany should be really bearable to the Namibian victims and Germans should implement favorable education systems in Namibia.

Wilbert

The whole experience is completely new. The flight being my first was long and uncomfortable. The weather change was quite obvious and it was very cold. When I arrived in Germany, I saw loads of grafitti and that was alarming as that is not common back home in Namibia. I was very tired and my stomach was bothered because of the plane, thus I was not feeling well. On the second day, we visited the African centre. We saw streets named after towns and a city back in Namibia (Swakopmunder ~Swakopmund) and that was very thought and emotion evoking. I never thought I would witness that and it got me thinking about all the colonial traces still present in the world today. School is very interesting and very interactive. I learned alot about the different teaching styles of different teachers. I honestly felt very welcomed and appreciative of how everything was translated and made accommodated me. Today we visited the Gasometer where we took part in Tree2Tree which is similar to zip lining but in a controlled area. It was quite challenging, but enjoyable. We visited the Centro shopping centre in Oberhausen as well. It was a very fun and productive day all in all. I can not wait to experience the rest of Germany.

-Grace-

Germany, a country steeped in history and culture, offers a fascinating blend of the old and the new. My experience so far in this remarkable nation has been eye-opening, filled with historical insights, graffiti, and breathtaking landscapes. Everything started from Hosea Kutako International Airport back in Namibia, where we experienced minor complications, but luckily, we solved them very quickly. I would describe the flight to Germany as „HORRIBLE“ as I struggled to sleep, was thirsty the entire way, the line at the toilet was too long, and everything was just tiring. Upon arrival in Germany, we were greeted with welcoming spirits by our German partners at the airport. Stepping into Germany felt like walking through the pages of a history book. From the country’s buildings and infrastructure, each place I explored unveiled a unique part of Germany’s identity, blending the past with the present in a way that left a mark on my memory.

In terms of accommodation, we Namibian learners stay with host families. As for me, I stay with Nick (my partner) in an apartment alone, and all I can say is that I feel really welcomed and at home. At first, I wasn’t really comfortable, but now I can say that I feel Like I’m going to enjoy the upcoming days. I can’t wait for the amount of fun we are going to have, honestly. We went to school today, and all I can say is that the education system here is evolving into a more digital world as learners here use tablets instead of hardcopy books like back in Namibia. The lessons here are much more interactive and fun. My experience so far has been wonderful, fun, and most deliciously memorable. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow unfolds.

Titus

Gestern ging es nach erlebnisreichen und anstrengenden Tagen in Berlin zurück nach Duisburg, das mit nur 45 Minuten Verspätung und einer Aufgabe für unsere Schülerinnen und Schüler „Schicken Sie zwei beeindruckende Fotos“, damit auf der Bahnfahrt keine Langeweile aufkam.

Im Namen der Namibia-Gruppe Cordula Hiller-Kitzmann, Abteilungsleiterin Oberstufe  

 Beim Besuch des Schlosses Charlottenburg setzte sich die Projektgruppe bei der Betrachtung der Schlossräume und der Kunstwerke aus dem 18. und 19. Jahrhundert mit unserem kolonialen Bezug auseinander, diskutierte die Frage wie dieses Thema heute in Schlössern und Museen präsentiert werden kann und was eine rassismuskritische Kulturvermittlung benötigt. 

Und natürlich wurde die Hauptstadt weiterhin erkundet – allerdings bei Regen. 

Im Namen der Namibiagruppe C. Hiller-Kitzmann, Abteilungsleiterin Oberstufe 

Am Dienstag, 18.06.24 machten sich alle Projektteilnehmer und-nehmerinnen auf den Weg nach Berlin.