Fourth-year student at the University of Namibia, Etuhole Fimanekeni Tweufilwa, strongly believes that with Namibia’s lack of education resources, it is an equal responsibility of teachers to work with what they have and transform classrooms.
Tweufilwa (23), who is pursuing a Bachelor of Education majoring in English and Oshikwanyama, added: “Whether using games, visuals or group work, there are so many ways to make lessons engaging and impactful.
In Namibia, we often have limited resources in our classrooms, but this has taught me that creativity and interactive activities can make a huge difference”.
Tweufilwa embarked on an exciting four-and-a-half-month exchange programme at the prestigious Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten (University of Education Weingarten) in Germany, where she found herself on a dynamic journey of academic enrichment, cultural exploration and profound personal growth.
The central focus at the University of Education Weingarten is on teacher certification, early childhood education, media education, health promotion, dealing with heterogeneity, vocational education, and social issues of the future.
One of the highlights of her stay was an internship at Talschule, a local primary school. Observing and participating in lessons, she gained valuable insights into German teaching methods, and how creativity and technology can transform the classroom experience.
During this enriching experience, Tweufilwa not only delved into the intricacies of her field of study, but also embraced the vibrant German culture, forging connections with people from diverse backgrounds.
She said every day brought new learning opportunities, whether through engaging in thought-provoking academic discussions exploring the historical landmarks of Weingarten, or pushing the boundaries of her own potential, as she navigated new environments and challenges. She said it was a transformative adventure that left an indelible mark on her intellectual and personal development.
“Being in a new environment taught me to stay flexible and open-minded. It was an opportunity to learn not just academically, but about life and different ways of thinking,” she noted with a smile.
She said: “Exchange programmes like this are opportunities you should not miss. They enrich your academic journey, expose you to new cultures, and prepare you for the challenges of the future. I encourage every Unam student to seize these chances and experience what I have.”
Unam’s spokesperson Simon Namesho said: “Unam continues to provide students with fully-sponsored exchange opportunities, reinforcing its commitment to fostering global connections, and preparing students for a competitive world.”
The agreement between Unam and Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten started in 2022.
Etuhole Tweufilwa and Mexy Tjiposa are the third cohort in 2024. The next cohort is going soon in April this year. Namesho indicated that for Tweufilwa, this programme was more than an academic stint, it was a gateway to growth, discovery and inspiration.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na