Namibia's beauty shines through in exchange programme visit

A group of German students who visited Namibia as part of an exchange programme were welcomed with open arms by their Namibian hosts and given a chance to experience Namibia's beauty. On 25 January, 15 learners from Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium (THG) in Hagen, Germany, arrived in the Land of the Brave, Namibia.The 2023 German-Namibian exchange programme is an opportunity for THG and Windhoek Gymnasium learners to interact with unfamiliar environments, cultures, education systems, and social climates.Wild experienceCommencing their holiday, the German learners travelled from Hosea Kutako International Airport to Otjiwa Safari Lodge in Otjiwarongo. Dry grass, baobab trees, and an overwhelming population of springboks caught their eye during the lodge’s afternoon game drives.However, the learners grasped the diversity of Namibia’s ecosystems once they arrived in the mountainous capital, Windhoek."The lush vegetation and guinea fowl made me feel like I entered another country," Luise Baldauf, a THG student, said. she added that once they arrived at the coast, "it was shocking to see the desert and ocean beside each other in Swakopmund."WelcomeThe exchange programme participants described the moment when the Namibian learners welcomed the German learners to the Windhoek Gymnasium family as "the highlight" of their experience."After months of digital interactions with my pen pal from Germany, it feels surreal to give her a hug," revealed Samantha Jacobs, a student at Windhoek Gymnasium.Nevertheless, the Namibian group had more in store for their visitors than just hosting them at their homes for a week.They went on a paintball excursion as a playful symbol of Namibia’s hunting culture. They also helped showcase the country’s appreciation for performance arts by participating in a Joe’s Beerhouse drum circle session.Learning from friendsAs the German learners were granted the opportunity to attend classes at Windhoek Gymnasium for a week, they witnessed several school traditions, including the watermelon festival and matric tie ceremony.However, there was something else that captivated the German learners: the social climate."On the school grounds, everyone conversed with me and shook my hand. I also saw them hugging one another, exchanging greetings and jokes, and singing with each other. It is bizarre but beautiful," said Gifty Fombang, a German exchange student. On 16 February, the German learners bid farewell to Namibia."This not the end. My learners are enthusiastic to reunite with their pen pals in June when we travel to Germany," Liezel Potgieter, one of the programme’s organisers, said.

Namibia's beauty shines through in exchange programme visit

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