The journey to Zambia had its focus on living and learning: The group visited educational institutions among them different types of schools, schools in rural and urban areas, exclusive girl’s and boy’s schools as well as coeducational institutions and those with a focus on special education, mostly sponsored by the church. Besides, the students visited training institutions such as the David Livingston College of Education, UNICEF, and the University of Zambia (please see program of the study trip). The participants learned more about how school and education are structured and function in a country like Zambia, which problems people face and what works well. In order to learn more about their work and to get into conversations with the people there, the group also visited social and public institutions: a hospital, community and congregation centers, aid organizations like Cheshire Home Society (a project of the Christian Blind Mission).

Seeing the educational system of a developing country like Zambia with their own eyes, is of central importance for student teachers. It helps to develop a new appreciation for the European and the German educational system, its opportunities and chances, while becoming more sensitive for the challenges in educational politics in Africa at the same time. All of the participating students felt that this journey broadened their horizons. The change in perspective and the possibility to leave the class room to enlarge the theoretical contents of their studies with own experiences and perceptions, was particularly enriching for the group. Moreover, this journey was an important step in developing intercultural competences – an aspect of central importance when teaching at school. All participants remarked that opening up quickly became the key aspect of communication with others and allowed fascinating and valuable experiences.