Topic outline

  • Research Stay in Kenya: An Unforgettable Adventure of Culture and Experiences

    Mambo! We are Nina and Tina and we spent a short term stay at Pwani University in Kilifi as part of our bachelor thesis in Communication and Media Management at the Hochschule Karlsruhe. In total, we were there for a little more than two weeks and had plenty of time to see everything. In advance, we thought a lot about our stay. What will it be like? Is it dangerous there? What are the people like? All these questions were answered during our stay. After our arrival in Mombasa, where we were greeted by the warm and humid Kenyan air, we took a cab to Kilifi.

    Wir sind Nina und Tina und wir waren im Rahmen unserer Bachelorarbeit in Kommunikation und Medienmanagement an der Pwani University in Kilifi. Insgesamt waren wir etwas mehr als zwei Wochen vor Ort und hatten viel Zeit uns alles anzuschauen. Im Vorhinein haben wir uns viele Gedanken wegen unseres Aufenthalts gemacht. Wie es wohl sein wird? Ist es dort gefährlich? Wie sind die Menschen? All diese Fragen konnten während unseres Aufenthalts beantwortet werden. Nach unserer Ankunft in Mombasa, bei dem uns erstmal die feucht-warme Luft Kenias begrüßt hat, ging es dann mit dem Taxi nach Kilifi.


    During our stay, we were treated very sweetly by everyone and were shown around by our on-site supervisor, Vicky. We enjoyed looking at the beautiful large campus, which has more plants and greenery than some botanical gardens in Germany. We were treated very kindly by everyone and were able to see some friends again who had been in Germany before.

    Während unseres Aufenthalts wurden wir sehr lieb von allen behandelt und wurden von unserer Betreuung vor Ort, Vicky, herumgeführt. Wir haben uns den schönen großen Campus angesehen, der mehr Pflanzen und grün hat als einige botanische Gärten Deutschlands. Wir wurden sehr lieb von allen behandelt und konnten einige Freunde wiedersehen, die zuvor in Deutschland waren.


    Besides all our assignments and research for the bachelor thesis, there was much more we got to experience. We saw the city and explored the bay on a boat tour. We also went snorkeling and could see great animals in the sea. We were shown the Mnarani ruins on a tour, including the small snake and turtle "zoo". We also went on a two-day safari to Tsavo National Park and saw buffalo, elephants, antelope and bouquets, as well as giraffes and lions.

    Neben unseren ganzen Aufgaben und Recherchen für die Bachelorarbeit durften wir jedoch noch vieles mehr erleben. Wir haben uns die Stadt angeschaut und die Bucht bei einer Bootstour erkundet. Außerdem waren wir schnorcheln und konnten tolle Tiere im Meer sehen. Die Mnarani Ruinen wurden uns bei einer Tour gezeigt, inklusive dem kleinen Schlangen und Schildkröten „Zoos“. Außerdem haben wir eine zweitägige Safari in den Tsavo Nationalpark gemacht und dort neben Büffeln, Elefanten, Antilopen und Sträußen, auch Giraffen und Löwen gesehen.


    Finally, we were invited to a friend's house in Mombasa for a little chapati cooking class. But that's just one of the delicious dishes available locally. We were a bit sceptical at the beginning, but we really have to say we are both enthusiastic about Kenyan cuisine.
    One particularly nice experience was having everyone we knew on-site eat together at a restaurant called Village Dishes. This restaurant became our second home over our time there, as many times as we were there.
    What we both took home with us besides great clothes and tons of spices is a bit of Hakuna Matata, Pole Pole and an earworm of Jambo Bwana.

    Zum Abschluss waren wir noch bei einer Freundin in Mombasa zu einem kleinen Chapati-Kochkurs eingeladen. Aber das ist nur eine der köstlichen Speisen, die es vor Ort gibt. Ich war am Anfang etwas skeptisch, aber ich muss wirklich sagen wir sind beide begeistert von der kenianischen Küche.
    Ein besonders schönes Erlebnis war das gemeinsame Essen von allen die wir vor Ort kannten in einem Restaurant namens Village Dishes. Dieses Restaurant wurde über unsere Zeit dort zu unserem zweiten zuhause, so oft wie wir dort waren.
    Was wir beide neben tollen Kleidern und Unmengen an Gewürzen mit nach Hause genommen haben ist ein bisschen Hakuna Matata, Pole Pole und einen Ohrwurm von Jambo Bwana.


    • My Stay in Kilifi (Kenya) by Lenz

      My stay in Kenya as part of Project VIEL was an outstanding experience that I will never forget. Visiting Pwani University and having the opportunity to interact with local students was particularly impressive. It was incredibly exciting to observe the differences and similarities in education between Germany and Kenya. This intercultural experience broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of global educational systems.


      Kilifi, the town where we spent our stay, is a true paradise situated right on the shores of the Indian Ocean. The breathtaking white sandy beaches and palm trees create a heavenly atmosphere. The proximity to the sea offers not only stunning landscapes but also an abundance of fresh, delicious seafood available at local markets and restaurants.

       

      The absolute highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the thrilling safari we embarked on during a weekend. We were incredibly fortunate to witness the "Big 5" – elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion, and leopard – in their natural habitat. It felt like we had stepped into a captivating wildlife documentary.

       

      The people in Kilifi were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Their excellent level of English greatly facilitated communication, providing us with deeper insights into their culture and way of life. The openness and hospitality of the locals made our stay even more unforgettable.

      In summary, I wholeheartedly recommend this stay in Kenya, especially in Kilifi, to everyone. It was an unforgettable experience enriched not only by the academic experiences at Pwani University but also by the stunning natural beauty, wildlife, and, most importantly, the warm-hearted people on-site. This adventure will remain etched in my memory forever.