During June / July 2012 Reinette Meiring attended the HUWISU Summer University (Humboldt), here is her story.
Pre-departure
Pre-departure was a time of excitement, panic, an attempt at good time management and above all learning. My excitement upon hearing I had been accepted to attend a summer school at Humboldt University in Berlin, was quickly overshadowed by the amount of preparations that needed to be done as quickly as possible. The fact that I had to make all the arrangements by myself was intimidating at first. However, by the time I was ready to leave; I had a degree of self-satisfaction and an exhilarating feeling of independence, knowing that this is completely my responsibility and at the same time my adventure.
Firstly, I just want to make a note on the application process. The application process was quick and easy. Making a video was an interesting experiment in presenting myself, but in the end it’s reassuring to know that it won’t help presenting yourself in any way that’s not true to who you are (cliché I know).
Flight tickets also had to be booked as quick as possible to find a good deal for the R7 500 travel bursary. Tickets are cheaper in June, and early July as prices go up in high season (July/August). I booked my tickets through the Neelsie Travel Centre. The assistance really helped me. I was able to find a ticket that was completely covered by my travel bursary. The only downside was waiting for the travel bursary to be paid into my account. However, I was able to pay by credit card beforehand to get the best possible deal.
Preparing documents for my visa application was the most intensive preparations to be done. This included making an appointment and getting everything from travel insurance to my finances in order. The appointment at the German Consulate in Cape Town was done within 10 minutes (German efficiency), and there was no problems with any of my documents. I was able to collect my visa the following week, 3 working days after my appointment. It was great not having to pay for my visa, because I was going to study.
I also booked my flight tickets that I arrive a week before I started with the summer school in Berlin, so that I could travel beforehand. It would have been better to rather have stayed a week extra in Europe, but it was cheaper to go before high season. I went to Prague for five days before I started in Berlin. A good site to book youth hostels is: www.hostelbookers.com. The hostels are rated by previous visitors. It was also easy booking train tickets upon arrival in Berlin at the main station.
Humboldt-Universität was also very helpful beforehand. The letter required for my visa was sent swiftly, and any queries about the course and accommodation were answered. Communicating with the host University of the summer school is very helpful.
I only really researched Berlin and Prague, things to do and so forth a week or two before I left for Berlin. The nervous excitement kicked in and I was ready to go.
Summer school
I chose the summer school “Europe’s dream of America/America’s dream of Europe”, because I thought it would add another dimension to my BA Humanities degree, especially in sociology. It met and exceeded my expectations and I feel I have returned with knowledge in an area I otherwise would not have had(stating the obvious), but above that I have returned with a set of skills that I will be able to apply directly in my field of study.
“Europe’s dream of America/America’s dream of Europe” was a three week course which consisted of a comparative study of America and Europe and how the two power forces have constructed their identities around the other. The course consisted of studying various texts of History, American and German studies and Culture Studies. We studied texts observing culture from the18th century to contemporary popular culture. The way texts were analysed and the global perspectives from the other nine students in my class provided for insightful discussions. The insight and critical stances of the professor stirred passion for a subject I didn’t even know I liked. Every person had to do a presentation on one of the texts and the discussion proceeded from there on.
At Stellenbosch, because of the size of my classes, in depth discussion of articles and especially between students doesn’t occur frequently (at undergraduate level). This doesn’t provide much motivation to critically engage with the articles. It was interesting learning to verbally formulate and present a critical stance. I enjoyed focusing intensely on one subject instead of scratching the surface of four subjects. Although students are very independent at Stellenbosch, there is much more academic support and assistance and guidance given than in Germany. However, I think this is still a good thing and much needed in South Africa.
On the other hand, students in Berlin grow up and become independent very soon. Many students at Stellenbosch may be more dependent on the support systems available. One of the things that stood out, was the way in which academics is undeniably the main focus of the University. Little emphasis is put on the ‘student experience’. Whereas at Stellenbosch, the experience of the sport culture and the emphasis on participation at residences sometimes overshadows the academic purpose of the University in the mind of students and in the way the University is advertised. The facilities were mind-blowing. We realised what a privilege it was to be able to study for a brief period of time at Humboldt as we stood in front of the main building and gaped at the size of the Law Faculty.
Berlin is dirty and grimy, desolate in places, overdeveloped in others, unpredictable and endlessly engaging. It is a city that opens itself up to students, artists, travelers musicians, professionals and adventure-seekers. The music scene, street art, quirky bars, and German beer, left-over bullet marks and painful history, the monuments, the river, the home-cooked meals shared with strangers and new found friends, the flea markets, the Dali museum and random artists captured my mind and heart. I loved being only a half-tourist in Berlin. I felt no pressure or intense desire to see the many tourist attractions. Instead, I ventured into the city, and along the way stumbled onto some sites and many interesting people and experiences.
Return
Firstly, I would like to give a pre-return-to-Stellenbosch feedback. I decided to write the optional research paper for the summer course, which I worked on during the holiday after my return. It was challenging, and interesting, and although I’m still waiting for feedback from the professor, I feel I “sucked the marrow and bone” out of this summer school experience.
Returning to Stellenbosch has been challenging. It has been difficult to integrate the way Berlin challenged my way of thinking, and the way my thinking has changed, into my world at Stellenbosch. I realised how heavy the burden of history is on a nation. Franz Kafka said: “History is what hurts”. I realised how necessary it is to be aware of the impact of history, how it shapes us, and how necessary it is to address history in order to change ourselves and move forward. The way Berlin remembers its history is beautiful and touching. The memorial to the murdered Jews, an entire city block covered in concrete slabs in the centre of Berlin, is an example of this. History shapes us.
We had many conversations on the subject of patriotism. Germany literally had to rebuild a new patriotism, and the people are now able to proudly sport the German flag everywhere during the European Cup, gradually redefining and addressing the shame of previous generations. As South Africans, and Afrikaners, I think patriotism is necessary: a patriotism that is inclusive and doesn’t need to harm another to form one’s own identity. As I learnt about Germany’s history, European and American politics, and their culture, I realised there is so much I don’t know about South Africa. It was also good to see that every country has its own problem and it can be overcome. I believe it is necessary to be informed, to care, and to align ourselves with the leaders’ visions we agree with in order to create a new patriotism.
I am more open to more people since my return, although this is more difficult in a familiar environment. I have made new friends in Europe, and a friendship that will continue in Stellenbosch. I am also making an effort to be involved in projects that promote unity and in which I can work with people of different cultures.
I would definitely be able to live or study in Europe for a year or a few in the future. I loved coming home, but I had mixed feelings as I feel comfortable in both worlds. I plan on going to an exchang to France in the near future, if not next year then the year after that. I would love to speak French fluently as I have been studying it for many years. I also plan on doing an internship overseas. I conclude this experience with an opened mind and a hunger for seeing the world.
A poem I wrote on the U-bahn in Berlin
Ek dig vir jou, onsigbare vrou
In my refleksie,
Weerkaatsend in duisende hoeke
Van perspektief
En ek sien jou deur die lens van Berlyn
Ek sien jou gypsie
Toeries
Deurmekaar student
Kunsliefhebber
Leweliefhebber
Romantikus
Ek sien jou vrou, jonk en vry
Ek sien vir jou: moontlikheid, potential
Ek stal jou uit
Ek stal jou bloot
Ek skep in jou
Ruimte
In die volheid van ervaring, kom die leegheid van verwagting
Die soeke na betekenis, vind rus in die holte van ‘n stad
Van ‘n taal
Van mense
In die stilweg ontblooting van bekendheid