Kategorie: Blog

Victoria Osei-Bonsu – My Basel experience

I first arrived in Basel on the 4^th of October, 2013. It was another kind of experience for me! Even though I had already been to France, to the US and was a regular visitor to the UK, I still could not help but have a cultural shock upon arrival in Basel. For one thing the language was different. Apart from English, I speak passably good French, and some Spanish. But here I was faced with German, or, to be more precise, a variety of Swiss German known as Basler Deutsch; and I had no idea what people around me were saying or what the announcements in the buses and trams meant. Bottom line: I was lost!!! And I was a little scared. But I meant to make things work out for me here. I was going to literally take the bull by the horns with or without a knowledge of the language.

So, I started by taking courses in German, only to find out that my course load was so packed that I could only manage a single semester of A1 (A Eins)! Then I decided to go to the open market – the Flohmarkt – more often so I could hear the language in use and practice from there. That helped a bit and I realised that gradually I could make some meaning if I listened carefully or politely asked people to repeat themselves a little more slowly. And I could also make myself understood using very basic expressions.

It took me a while to establish a social life outside of my little flat. But once I did, I was eager to explore more and more of the region as and when I could. I am not much of a party person, but from time to time I attended fun parties organised by friends I had made. I also took time out to visit other places such as Bern, Zurich and Geneva. In the Christmas of 2015 I joined the Anglican Church; and I so enjoyed their services that I kept going back as it catered to my spiritual needs. With the Church I went on other very enjoyable excursions that took me walking in mountainous regions and enjoying pure pasture.

Towards the end of my stay in Basel, I was sure I was going to miss the region once I left the country. I was also certain I would always carry great memories of the City with me wherever I went. Afterall, my second daughter was born there and my husband and I cannot help but think of her as the Basler in our family!

Valentin Bognan Koné – Mon expérience à Bâle

Mon expérience à Bâle, dans le cadre de la préparation de ma thèse, financée par la Fondation Oumou Dilly, mérite d’être appelée le tremplin de mon ouverture sur le monde. Cette opportunité m’a permis de quitter mon cocoon ivoirien et de vivre une aventure enrichissante en connaissances scientifiques, mais surtout linguistique et culturelle. „Valentin Bognan Koné – Mon expérience à Bâle“ weiterlesen

Zoumana Sidibe – A photographer in Ghana

My Name is Zoumana Sidibe, I am a photographer currently in Ghana. I am here for a 6 months training in English sponsored by the Fondation Oumou Dilly; I am studying at the Centre of Languages and professional studies (CELPS). The first month I was in a class of 20 students from different countries. This integration has an important moment for me to learn and share experiences.

For some years, Ghana has become the hub for French and Arabic speaking students in West Africa who want to learn English. The capital of Ghana, Accra is one of the most expensive cities in West Africa. Notwithstanding hundreds of francophone students come to learn English every month. Most of them come first to learn English, and after that they do professional courses in, for instance, accounting, bilingual secretary courses, Computer Studies, etc.

The majority of the language schools are located in Alajo, and 50% of student stays in this neighbourhood. Ginding accommodation is one of the challenges foreign students face in Accra. At the beginning life here was not easy for me; I first stayed far away from campus before I later found accommodation near my school. At this point I was lucky to stay in house where the landlady was a retired teacher, so she listened to me all the time and corrected errors in my pronunciation, grammar and expressions. Initially I had difficulty in speaking and understanding English, and it was not easy to me to go for shopping alone. My desire to speak motivated me to attend classes and I did my best to improve my English. Then life in Accra became easier for me, I got many the Ghanaian friends and friends other West African countries. One of my friends was a teacher at our school; he advised me and recommended books to me.

I later joined the computer department of our school to learn 3D Animation and technical vocabulary on photography. My Beninese classmate was interested in photography; he is a graphic designer so we shared our experiences and ideas of setting up a business together in the future. Each school has its own English club, which isone the platforms where students practice English. Every Saturday I attended the English club to participate in different activities to improve my speech.

At the end of studies, I participated in an excursion to the central region of Ghana, Cape Coast. We met a tour guide who explained to us the history of Elmina Castle; the first Castle built by colonial masters in 1482. We also visited the University of Cape, and the Kakum National Park.

Ghanaians are hardworking, especially women, they are everywhere in both the formal and informal sectors. I liked Ghanaian dishes so much like; Banku, jollof, foufou and others.

Mamane Sani – La première fois je quitte mon pays

La première fois je quitte mon pays était pour aller en France. Un grand saut pour quelqu’un, anthropologue de surcroit qui marche pour la première fois au-delà des frontières de son pays. C’était le premier d’une succession de séjours alternés entre ce beau pays et mes terres d’origine. „Mamane Sani – La première fois je quitte mon pays“ weiterlesen

Nestor Zante – Ma présence à l’université de Bâle

Ma présence à l’université de Bâle, se résume à quatre semestres de collaboration, de rencontres, d’amitiés, de partage, d’acquisition d’expériences ainsi que de fortunes diverses et de belles aventures dans la recherche. „Nestor Zante – Ma présence à l’université de Bâle“ weiterlesen