Alev Coban
 | After my GEFA studies, I worked for the Ecumenical Network Central Africa and organised events for One World - One Future. However, I was drawn back to university and completed the Master's degree in Geographies of Globalisation - Markets and Metropolises in Frankfurt am Main. I am now doing my PhD as part of the interdisciplinary research training group Infrastructures in Transition: The Case of African Cities and researching technologically innovative places in Nairobi. In retrospect, I can affirm even more strongly that the close contact between lecturers and students and the manageable size of the seminar participants within GEFA is unique. Also, the diversity of the study content makes GEFA stand out: there are social science, natural science, legal and also practical topics. Nevertheless, I have always enjoyed the independent research - be it on homelessness in Nuremberg, on drummers and dancers at the Africa Festival in Würzburg or on traders at the bus station in Arusha - I have always experienced great professional support, critical reflection and empathy from lecturers and fellow students. Even as a Berliner, I have to admit that Bayreuth is surprisingly a perfect place for any interest in Africa-related contexts. (Alev Coban) |