Communications
Assignment Report of Amanda Blair
Founder/owner of abpr, Zug, Switzerland
Polytechnic of Namibia, Windhoek
March 28 – April 15, 2011
download report (pdf)
LBW
Depending on your profession and interests, LBW could stand for laser-beam welding, leg before wicket (a cricket thing…) or low birth weight – for me it refers to “Life before Windhoek”. Preparation for my assignment at the Polytechnic of Namibia fell broadly into two categories. My major project was to create and deliver a three-week course on Web Communication (as part of the Bachelor of Communication assessed work), culminating in a complete redesign of the Department of Communication’s website. Complementing this were lectures on Intercultural Communication and Professional Communication, for students of a broad spectrum of disciplines, from human resources to mechanical engineering.
Assessing the educational level and skills of students, particularly in relation to electronic media and written language competence, over distance was challenging, so I chose to develop a wide range of modular content, suitable for adaptation “on the spot”. I also ensured that I was equipped with plenty of content examples from real clients to enable a pragmatic “show and tell” approach.
The Experience
Within hours of my arrival I was welcomed by and integrated into my team of co-lecturers. They treated me with a perfect mix of curiosity, warmth and openness. I was immediately a trusted colleague and not a visitor, a process which would be difficult to mirror in a European cultural environment.
Designing and creating a real website is an extremely ambitious task for groups of students with minimal access to computers off-campus, but somehow this was compensated for by uncompromised interest, commitment and enthusiasm. Their “go for it” approach definitely rubbed off on me, enabling me to spontaneously tailor teaching inputs to meet unforeseen needs, ranging from acting as their photographer based on their creative briefings, to teaching editing and interviewing skills. Allocating job descriptions found in web agencies “back home” created a reality-based atmosphere and subtly coached them in teamwork and project-management. After some long nights and tense moments, the deadline was met, producing an emotional and proud peak to the assignment for both sides.
Further highlights and opportunities for intensive knowledge exchange were the lectures I was invited to give on European intercultural issues. These initiated fascinating debates on values, behaviour and trends, always drawing on real examples such as local adaptations of global advertising campaigns and business meeting etiquette. I even received some homework myself from one group, urging me to personally address the issue of Europe’s high divorce rate with a proposal for more arranged marriages. I confess that one is still on my to-do list…
Impact
If I contributed half as much as the experience at the Polytechnic of Namibia gave back me, I would be very happy. I learned the genuine value of moving on to Plan B rather than hanging on to Plan A, the incredible power of direct knowledge sharing across cultures, the real meaning of “where there is a will, there is a way”, as well as the ability to stand on one leg flamingo-style in a lecture theatre holding the plug of my laptop into a socket to ensure power supply (possibly the least transferable skill). Intensive contact with lecturers post-assignment is also opening many doors to making my contributions as sustainable as possible. These inputs range from suggesting exam questions to supporting future course design.
The reception and feedback I received from the students and staff both touched me and made me determined that the exercise should not be a one-off.
P.S. The Namibian countryside is (almost) as beautiful as its people.
Even the four-legged Namibians I encountered appeared to be curious, warm and open.
Zug, May 2011