"It was a life-changing and enriching experience where I learnt about different working methods."

I did my assignment at the neurological specialized hospital and rehabilitation centre of the Hegau Jugendwerk in Gailingen am Hochrhein. As a physiotherapist, I spent my time learning from my colleagues, who form a big multidisciplinary team. I also shared my expertise in providing comprehensive rehabilitation after a neurological illness, an accident or an early childhood brain injury – from early rehabilitation to reintegration into school and the workplace.

I learnt about teamwork and punctuality, which my colleagues follow to achieve their goals. It was a life-changing and enriching experience where I learnt about different working methods with modern therapeutic devices that challenge, equip and reward me with new skills to bring back home.

In our community, children with disabilities cannot afford the costs of medical and rehabilitation services as well as of quality education. I coordinate financial support for treatment and help finding sponsors for girls’ education through a small NGO we initiated to empower the communities.

To ECIO

Overall, I learnt many valuable things in Germany that will bring about significant change in my life and help me achieve my goals and vision.

I learnt about Team works! from my tandem partner Dr. Willy Zink from the Senior Experten Service (SES). I got interested because I liked the idea behind it: two sides share knowledge and experience based on equal partnership with a long lasting-impact. African young professionals get a chance to go on an assignment to Germany and vice versa, which will positively impact the professional development and, also, promote international development.

During my time in Germany, I met with internship students from different parts of Europe. We spent time together, had lunch and went to our hospital placements together. It was something I wasn’t prepared for before.

Out of the clinical area, I was surprised by how the train system works – it was my first and a better experience in a train than I expected – as well as by the TK elevator test tower in Rottweil.

Being abroad for the first time is so impressive, especially when you meet with someone who is aware of the culture and the environment experienced in the field. In general, the tandem with a SES senior expert helped me to have a vision to help myself as well as the community that I serve.  

Doing an assignment in Germany opens doors to multiple opportunities. You will meet people from different backgrounds and from different parts of the world that you will interact forming international contacts that can be a perfect tool and widen your scope to opportunities that may not have been accessible to you beforehand. You will be building the foundations of a global network whose expertise and advice might well help shape your career in the future.

1. New skills, practical competence and experience.
2. Memories and stories to share.
3. A lot of gifts from friends.

The big transformation that I experienced, the connection to the people and friends, the relationship to the culture, and the lasting impact have made me realize what I am capable of and which direction I want to take in life.