Stephanie Mitchell

Roche assignment in Namibia - a symbiosis of learning

 Our identity is a complex tapestry woven from multitude of threads, each one contributing to the person we are today. By no means are our identities set in stone - they are fluid, dynamic, and constantly evolving as we navigate through life. 

Knowing that we have the power to shape our identity when we lean in, to trust the person we are destined to be, I accepted the generous offer by Roche & B360 to travel to Namibia and take 35 Namibian Health Science students to the depths of managing complex projects, running a business, thriving in challenging interviews and collaborating effectively in teams.

The mission was magnetic: 43.4% of Namibia’s youth are unemployed - nearly 3 times as many as the global average*. So if with my contribution I could make a small contribution to increase their chances in the workplace and beyond, I was up for the challenge, I was hooked.

I knew it would not be easy - the ask was ambiguous, would require lots of preparation and work, it would be full of surprises, I would need to step out of my comfort zone, I would need to overcome adversity, be prepared to make mistakes, get things wrong, question my assumptions. I would be the teacher and the one that is being taught lessons of self discovery - and that is exactly why it was my highlight of 2024 (and beyond)! 

A rollercoaster of emotions -  with deep appreciation for the lecturers who were prepared to let go and trust us to do our best as well as the openness, warmth and curiosity of all the 35 and sometimes up to 50 beautiful student souls - all this made it an unforgettable experience that has woven more threads into the tapestry of who I am.

 Hawe nawa tupu. Thank you.

 Oh and before I forget … for those of you thinking of doing the same, here are some helpful tips:

… with sunshine non stop and temperatures of 40 degrees outside, learning how to keep cool is the make or break of your day… everyone with no exception likes chocolates so bring lots … leaning into maximum flexibility and expecting the unexpected pays off as things change … Namibia is no place to lose weight, it is an unparalleled culinary experience … the student’s love music and dancing and I used it to make them feel energized - try this: Gazza