If you stroll across the Campus of Aalen University of Applied Sciences, you will hear many snippets of words in other languages (of instruction) - for example Georgian, English, Spanish, Arabic or Nepali. After all, many of the students come from all over the world. They all bring the international Campus to life and create a cosmopolitan atmosphere. The institution of higher education maintains intensive relationships with well over 130 partner universities. In a loose series, we present the inspiring histories of students from our partner universities who have decided to continue their academic journey at Aalen University of Applied Sciences - this time with Zimkitha Bavuma from South Africa.
Many "first times"
The first time in Germany, the first time as an exchange student, the first time living in a student residence: "For me, there have been quite a few 'firsts' over the past few weeks," says Zimkitha Bavuma and laughs heartily. The South African came to Aalen University of Applied Sciences in spring for a semester abroad. At her "home university" - the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) - in Cape Town, Bavuma completed her masters (UK)/master's (US) in Tourism and Hotel Management and is currently studying Business Administration. She is also an academic staff member and teaches as a lecturer in Tourism and Event and Conference Management at CPUT. "I really wanted to be an 'international student' and spontaneously applied for the Baden-Württemberg STIPENDIUM scholarship - and it worked out! I'm very grateful for that," beams the young woman.
Goal: to become a Professors / Professor
She is now doing her masters (UK)/master's (US) degree programme in Marketing and Artificial Intelligence at Aalen University of Applied Sciences. "Germany has a very good educational system and the practical application focus at the institutions of higher education is great," says Bavuma. "I came to Germany to learn something new, including about the different teaching standards. As a lecturer, this is very exciting for me." After all, her long-term goal is to become a Professors / Professor. "It is very fulfilling to motivate students and accompany them on their academic path and in the first steps of their appointment funding for professors; appointment funds. The conversations with them, especially from a research perspective, are interesting and broaden my horizons," she says, adding with a grin: "I like getting inside other people's brains."
Enjoying student life
But now, during her semester abroad, the Cape Town native can enjoy student life to the full. "It was a smooth transition. Even before I arrived here, I was in contact with my buddy Sarah, who introduced me to the 'German way of life' a bit in advance. That was a great help. And she also picked me up from the train station!" says Bavuma happily. In collaboration, cooperation with the non-profit association International Society Aalen (ISA), the "Buddy Program" at Aalen University of Applied Sciences offers start-up help and individual support for international newcomers. The "Buddies" are experienced students who work on a voluntary basis to support the integration of exchange students. The many activities on offer are also great, says Bavuma, who is involved with the institution of higher education's International Center, enjoys strolling through the city market or spending her free time in the cafés. "It's fun to get in touch with the people of Aalen - and practice a bit of German at the same time," says the likeable woman, who has a very infectious laugh.
On a discovery tour
During the orientation weeks at the beginning of the summer semester, the Master's student made friends with whom she discovered German and European cities. "We've already been to Ulm, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Schwäbisch Hall, Stuttgart, Munich and Frankfurt. And I've taken solo trips to Paris, Prague and Rome," says Bavuma enthusiastically. And, of course, they always go on discovery tours in Aalen and the Ostalb region. "You can go on great hikes or long walks here. The nature is beautiful, I find it very calming here." And because she loves pasta in all its variations, she finds the Swabian favorite dish "Spätzle mit Soß" (noodles with sauce) quite delicious. "Before I came here, I googled the food," Bavuma admits mischievously - and also that it was a bit of a culture shock.
From the Xhosa people
After all, Zimkitha Bavuma comes from Cape Town, a metropolis of 4.7 million residents. The South African port city, picturesquely nestled between the majestic Table Mountain and Table Bay with a fantastic view of the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, is famous for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural diversity. "People from all nine South African provinces and different population groups live here," says Bavuma, who belongs to the Xhosa - one of the oldest peoples in South Africa alongside the Zulu. Their language (of instruction), known for its click sounds, is one of the eleven official national languages. "Cape Town is fantastic, a pretty colorful mix that offers many different perspectives - and with its location between the sea and the mountains, it's simply one of the greatest cities in the world," the young woman enthuses. And even though Zimkitha Bavuma misses her hometown and her family, she would like to stay longer than the end of August. "It already feels a bit like home here. Who knows, maybe I'll come back as a postdoc?"
