Report: Meeting the UN Hochschulgruppe
‘The name says it all – but don’t get lost in translation’

I think one has to be honest - when the schedule stated, we are meeting the UN Hochschulgruppe from Tubingen, there was very little excitement at least from my side. The direct translation I made was that we meeting the United Nations High School Group. This didn’t seem very exciting or none the less, what was even more strange was the fact that we were meeting a few school kids at 8 pm the evening. Why so late? I mean we met the Americans at an earlier time…

But so we embark on a journey from the infamous ADAF to the ‘headquarters’ if I may put it that way, and upon arrival are welcomed by a very warm and inviting group of German university students who were definitely very excited to meet the South African group. Immediately my translation was invalidated, and these were definitely no school children…

The ice was of course easily broken by our group, as we circled the room creating a fun meet and greet environment which induced many smiles from our German counterparts (yea smiles I tell you!)…
The evening was then also later filled with speed dating, a people’s bingo and many other interactions and convo’s which ranged from economics, life and friendships to politics and German culture. We also had the opportunity to showcase our skills once more when we sang DIE ALIBAMA and the best rendition by the group of the popular Shosholoza…

There was of course food (Yes, the Pretzel was also there!), something to quench one’s thirst (which according to the girls actually helped us with the singing…) and loads of candy…

Overall the exchange of FB contacts is never left untouched - but what was just as intriguing was how the 2 groups engaged with each not allowing any stereotypes to restrict interaction…There was the true realisation that we all may be different, yet it is still our biggest similarity…

This was a GOOD NIGHT! ;)

Wayde Groep