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Nadia
Naude (Participant 2001)
This
past month was a fantastic and unforgettable experience. Words cannot
even begin to describe my personal experience as well as the wonderful
opportunities I was given, being part of this great programme. My
whole outlook on life has changed as a result of the interaction
and communication I have had with so many people – students, friends
and ordinary people. I have experienced Germany as a country wrapped
in a rich cultural heritage, but also as a country which is a leader
in the modern competitive world of business and technology. The
German people can be described as wonderful human beings filled
with warmth, hospitality and friendliness. Everywhere I went I was
greeted with a smile and friendly helpfulness. German ‘Gemütlichkeit’
and ‘Gastfreundshaft’ were the order of the day. I want to express
my gratitude and say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank
you for everything that I have received – not only material things,
but also spiritual experiences. The things that are really important
in life – friends, memories and knowledge – that and more is what
I have gained from this fabulous past month. Thank you again!
Antionette
Vorster (Participant 2001)
I
think the word ‘experience’ summarises what each of us feels about
the past month. For me is has indeed been an enriching experience
– one which I will never forget for the rest of my life. Not only
have I learnt so much about the German people, language and culture,
but I have also learnt a tremendous amount about the South African
people and their different cultures – our different cultures, and
also a lot about myself. This would not have been possible without
the realisation of the Tübingen 2001 Programme. In my heart,
I will never forget the kindness and warmth of the team who organised
and supported the programme. It was not just the financial support
that made this month a success, but also the willingness of people
to take the time to help us through the hours of language and other
Landeskunde sessions. Thank you to each of the lecturers for always
greeting us with a smile, and for taking the time to try and understand
our culture as well. Although I am exhausted right now, and happy
about seeing my family again, I am also very excited to go back
to South Africa to tell everyone in my social, church and University
environments about everything I have learnt in Germany. One thing
that impressed me a lot was the efficient transport system which
is something that South Africa has yet to achieve. Indeed we have
all been blessed, truly blessed with an experience like this. Barbara,
Silvia, Beate, Christof, Marion and Jen – whom we saw everyday –
I will never forget you for all the kindness that you showed. A
part of my heart will always remain here in Tübingen
and I believe that my future has been greatly influenced by the
German people.
Janice
le Roux (Participant 2001)
This
has been a very memorable trip. We were welcomed very warmly and
were overwhelmed by the generosity shown to us by the organisers.
Because there was a balance between learning German, the history
and culture and going on excursions and the many social activities,
we not only learnt ‘by the book’ but also by experiencing the culture
first-hand. I want to thank everybody who contributed to making
this trip possible. The sponsors, the organisers and also the wonderful
team we had. But most of all, I want to thank the group – thank
you guys for making this trip so enjoyable!
Ningi
Shabangu (Participant 2001)
I
believe that love has been a catalyst and driving force behind the
success of this project. I feel very honoured and privileged to
have been a part of it. All the people who were involved proved
to be selfless and full of compassion. I was very touched by their
great interest in us and that made me feel special. It’s amazing
to discover how a different country can have such a powerful effect
on you. Tübingen has left a positive impact on my life and
that will not easily be wiped off from my heart. The exchange of
the different cultures was awesome and very helpful in eliminating
stereotypes. To all the people who made this project possible, “Ngiyabonga!”
(Thank You!)
Lulu
Bayi (Participant 2001)
It
has been both a pleasure and an honour to have been part of such
a momentous programme. I have personally gained a wealth of experience,
skill and integrity within the past four weeks. I now have a ‘dream’
to go back to my own country and start driving forces towards the
achievement of a progressive rainbow nation, like it is in Germany.
Heartfelt thanks and tons of gratitude, I wish to salute to the
entire ‘International Languages Programme’ team, for a job excellently
done. You have, in your individual capacities, taught us to a greater
extent the true art of humanity – UBUNTU! May you continue to be
of positive impact to the generations yet to come. God will bless
you for all your efforts.
Megan
Clulow (Participant 2000)
The
experience I have had in Tübingen will be one that will remain
close to my heart always. The wonderful people that I have met here,
the friends I have made and the insight I have gained into student
life in Germany have all changed me and my attitude and taught me
many things about myself and other cultures. In addition, the opportunity
I had to meet other South Africans and get to know about our differences
in culture will help me understand and appreciate the difficulties
that my home country has in bringing us all together peacefully.
Thank you to everyone who has made this life-changing experience
possible.
Neil
Lloyd (Participant 2000)
I
would never have thought that I would be able to come to Tübingen,
so this programme has made a dream come true for me. Not everybody
has the opportunity to go overseas and experience such a wonderful
atmosphere, such wonderful loving people. I have learnt a lot in
the month here in Tübingen and I have experienced different
ways of how people are living here. It was great to be able to start
learning a foreign language and to learn of the culture, economics,
history and many other things about Germany that I didn’t know.
I hope that one day I will be able to bring my family back and show
them where I stayed and introduce them to all the loving people
on the programme and all the friends I have made.
Thank
you to everyone who made this programme possible, I hope that other
South African Students will be able to experience what we as a group
have experienced. These memories will always be kept in my heart.
Keshina
Thaver (Participant 2000)
For
all the people I’ve met, for all the love, understanding and caring
I have received, I will be eternally grateful. Tübingen 2000
has been the fulfilment of a life-time dream and I shall never forget
the people who have made this dream a reality. The relationships
which have grown within the South African group and with those who
have been with us will remain with me throughout a lifetime.
This trip has taught me more about myself, my country and my place
in the world than I ever thought possible and I have no words to
express my appreciation and gratitude. Thank you from the depths
of my heart. You will all be with me forever.
Pumlani
Bingwa (Participant 2000)
The
Tübingen 2000 programme has not been merely an exchange programme,
it has also marked the dawn of a new era for me. I don’t have enough
words to express the joy and enthusiasm I felt during the course
of it. Tübingen has been an environment which has taught me
to “Learn how to learn”. The experience and knowledge I accumulated
here have revolutionised the way I view the world.
Mel
Barton (Participant 2000)
It
was a great experience for me. If more people could experience
what I have, that people of all different races can get together,
work together, laugh together etc. it would improve relations between
the different race groups in South Africa, as we still need to heal
from the past. We all need to work together to make this world a
better place. After all, we are one human society. It was an experience
that I am sure everyone will treasure – once again thanks to all
who made it happen.
stephan_anders@web.de
/ ©Universität Tübingen
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