African Studies (MA)
Student experiences
Paula: My fieldwork in Uganda
Hi, I’m Paula, a Master’s student in African Studies, and I went to Uganda to do fieldwork at the Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
As part of the Master’s programme, all students conduct research in Africa or an Africa-related setting for a period of 2-3 months. In my research, I focused on how refugee children who are left without their parents experience life and education in the settlement. I chose this project in Uganda because I have always been interested in vulnerable groups, and Uganda hosts a huge refugee population. Besides, I joined Winnie Nakkatude's PhD project on access to education for refugee girls.
This experience will likely change your life and the way you look at things, so go out there and live every day to the fullest.
What I enjoyed most were the personal connections I made along the way. As I stayed in the settlement, I could see my participants every day and truly join their routines and social events. After some time, a beautiful bond was built, and we loved spending time together.
I learned a lot from my time in Uganda. The three most important skills I developed are endurance, gratefulness, and confidence. Although the conditions at the camp could be challenging compared to my life in Leiden, I just had to look around to remember how fortunate I am. I also tried to leave my insecurities behind and just get out there to talk to people and make the most of it.
If you are planning to do fieldwork or research abroad, I would recommend opening your mind! This experience will likely change your life and the way you look at things, so go out there and live every day to the fullest. But don't get too stressed about the research. Organise your time and don't forget to enjoy it!
