By: Tony Manyangadze

The curtains of the 2013 Study in Europe Fair came down Saturday afternoon and left students and exhibitor’s yearning for more.

From Friday to Saturday, most roads led to the Durban University of Technology’s Ritson Campus where students and staff members got the chance to receive first-hand information on how to apply for scholarships to study for Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Europe.

Berene Kramer, a representative of the European Union Delegation confirmed that over 800 hundred students and staff alike from different universities and colleges attended the fair.

“It was much better attended this year than in 2011, but not as well attended as in 2012, but I must say that we are pleased with the attendance and we want to express our sincere thanks to the Durban University of Technology for being such a wonderful host,” said Kramer.

She also emphasised the importance of the continuous existence of such initiatives. Kramer stated that maintaining and increasing study opportunities like these will ensure academic development and growth of participating countries.

“They are strong academic links between Europe and South Africa and the exchange of students is an important way of maintaining these links,” Kramer said.

During the two day fair, presentations were held by representatives of the participating European countries. The exhibitors took this opportunity to explain in detail everything that universities in their country of origin offer. Katarina Kralikova, the First Secretary of Head of Economy, Trade and Development from the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, had the privilege of conducting the last presentation of the 2013 Study in Europe Fair.

Katarina Kralikova, a representative from the Embassy of the Slovak Republic delivering the 2013 Study in Europe Fair last presentation. Pictures by: Tony Manyangadze

“I am actually very glad that you are so enthusiastic that you even came on the weekend and you sacrificed all your free time to come and listen to my presentation,” she said.

At the end of her presentation, Kralikova gave an analogy of a frog. According to her, if you put a live frog in hot water it will jump out. On the other hand, if you put it in cold water and then heat the water whilst the frog is in there, it will just die and get cooked.

“This means if you are thrown in a friendly environment you will just get too comfortable and die whereas if you are in a new environment you will learn quickly, just like studying abroad will make you flexible and stronger for your future life,” Kralikova encouraged.