University of Hamburg Welcomes Students from Ghana and the USA for the TTT Study Camp

2 July 2024

Photo: Fee Weber / UHH

At the Tricontinental Teacher Training at University of Hamburg, the emphasis on gaining international experience through exposure to cultural diversity, educational systems and commemoration culture remains a cornerstone of our program. For the fourth time, the project team was excited to welcome a new cohort of students from Ghana and the USA for this year's program.

The four-week study camp in Hamburg in June marks the last component of this year's Tricontinental Teacher Training (TTT) program. On Tuesday, June 4th, the program was kicked off by hosting 11 students from the University of North Carolina and 10 students from the University of Education Winneba as well as our students from Hamburg, mentors from their internship schools, and host families at the Welcome Event. At the occasion, the project coordinators from University of Hamburg, Prof. Andreas Bonnet – on behalf of Prof. Telse Iwers – and Dr. Anja Wilken, the Consul General of the US Consulate in Hamburg, Jason Chue, as well as Dean Hinneh Kusi from University of Education Winneba, Ghana, and Prof. Jocelyn Glazier from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, greeted the students. The students had time to connect through ‘icebreaker’ games and a shared dinner.

During their time in Hamburg, the international students, alongside their German peers, participated in seminars at the University, engaged with German schools, and experienced teaching in local classrooms. Staying with host families further enriched their cultural immersion. Additionally, there were collaborative discussions with educators and mentors about the changing landscape of the teaching profession and the evolving of teachers within communities. This year again focused on commemoration culture in all three countries, comparing and discussing different ways of coping with the past. Additionally, an emphasis was put on the colonial past, as for example by visiting "Schloss Ahrensburg" with a guided tour and discussions.

The Tricontinental Teacher Training project, which commenced in 2020 with the support of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), continues to provide a platform for students from diverse backgrounds to gain teaching experience in multicultural settings. By encouraging reflection, dialogue, and collaborative learning, the program equips participants to navigate the complexities of modern classrooms.

After the study camp in Hamburg, the students will be able to stay in touch through the project's own alumni network, which grows steadily and provides a prolonged exchange experience and a platform for exchanging ideas or even classroom materials.