Studies in Stuttgart and practical phase in Namibia

Max S. is 27 years old and has already done a lot in his life: training and employment in the advertising industry, backpacking trips through South America, odd jobs in the catering industry. In search of a meaningful perspective, he decides to study social work at the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW). It is the newly established international practical part that particularly appeals to him, but also the financing of his studies by the external training partner - our foundation. We have been an official partner of the DHBW since 2021 and enable two students to complete five of their practical phases as part of our volunteer project in Namibia.

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Max S. starts his studies and his first three-month practical phase in the middle of the corona pandemic. It is definitely challenging to orient yourself at the beginning in the informal settlement of Aussenkehr Farm in the middle of the Namibian desert, with an unfamiliar climate, new culture, strange people and new tasks. However, through intensive exchange with all parties involved in Stuttgart, such as the project management of our foundation, but also his professors at the DHBW, as well as thanks to the intensive collaboration with local teams, Max S. quickly finds his way into his new areas of work. “There was simply no chance for fear of contact” The course at the DHBW includes a total of six practical phases - one of which is a so-called external internship at a second institution. Max decides to complete this as part of our second project location in South Africa. He lives with a fishing family for three months, gets to know the peculiarities of South African culture and social structures and works with the local team of German volunteers and local teachers and social workers.

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After three years, Max S. completed his bachelor's degree as planned and successfully. We will miss his uncomplicated and likeable nature - and the local children and young people in particular will certainly remember the White Guy and his passion for football for a long time. All the best to you Max!

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Read the experience report of his entire dual study program

Read the experience report from Max S. from Paternoster

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