The 24-year-old student who is in her fourth year of training to be a teacher of general economics, worked with eleven other Dutch students and a group of local students on three different projects. She worked on social recycling, whereas others looked into developing a student association and an agricultural centre. Their aim was to set up the projects in such a way that other HR-students would be able to travel to Hope University in the years to come and continue the work.

What did your project entail exactly?
Antoinette: “For social recycling, we tackled the litter problem with the aid of the local students to try and make Addis Abeba a cleaner place. We really needed the input of the locals because they know most about what is going on in their city and know how to best tackle the problems at hand. With their aid, we were able to realise a sustainable project, which will be able to go on for many years. Our goal has been achieved.”

How did the collaboration with the locals evolve?
“It was difficult at first, because we hardly knew each other, which caused them to be a bit reluctant to engage with us. They could listen to us for ages on end without really responding, whereas the students from Rotterdam took a lot more initiative. We were more outspoken and more direct in our approach in general. But once we got to know each other better, things changed. Their contribution was very valuable.”

Why did you choose this exchange programme?
“When I saw that there was going to be an exchange programme on the HINT intranet, I got really excited. I think it is always a good idea to take opportunities like this one whenever you can. Working with other people on projects like these is very inspiring, and you learn so much while doing so. It adds to who I am as a human being and as a teacher. I have more to offer my students if I have more life experience. Little things are what makes a person into who they are, and exchange programmes like this one can have a really big impact on a person.”

What was the biggest culture shock you experienced?
“Seeing a lot of children begging or falling asleep next to their mothers out in the streets. For us in the Netherlands, it is normal to be able to crawl into a warm bed at night, but kids over there sometimes sleep outside on the pavement. They spend the day begging for money for food and drinks, instead of playing football. The poverty that these kids live in really got to me.
Other than that, there is a world of difference from the Netherlands – from the traffic to the shops. Everything is very basic, which makes you realise how spoiled we are in the West.”

Do you have any tips or advice for students who are considering studying abroad?
“As soon as you come across an opportunity to go abroad, TAKE IT! It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that you simply have to take. You will learn things that no book can teach you, and you will grow as a person as well as on a professional level.
Make sure that you are well prepared when it comes to the stuff you will need to take with you, and then just let the experience take you. If you just keep an open mind, the experience will be absolutely amazing!”

Tosca Sel