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Sanelisiwe Yekani

Portrait series with exchange students

Credit: Sanelisiwe Yekani

Published on 23.03.2025

  • Theatre
  • Campus

Sanelisiwe was one of the first five exchange students welcomed at ZHdK for the autumn semester 2024 within the frames of a new scholarship programme fostering cooperation with universities from the Global South. A student of 'Theatre and Performance' at her home university Wits School of the Arts in Johannesburg, South Africa, she was able to deepen her practice as well as broaden her mind at ZHdK. Besides experiencing the joys of Swiss food and scenery, she was also confronted with language barriers and having to navigate cultural and racial differences.

What was your motivation for going on an exchange?

Following a call-out sent to my university, I applied for the opportunity to experience an exchange semester at ZHdK and was selected. My motivation was my desire to learn more and to share my skills and talents with people in a different part of the world.

What has been the biggest surprise in the new city/at the new university?

The biggest surprise for me has been the extreme minority or absence of black people in the rooms that I enter. I was always aware that people who look like me are a minority in Switzerland, but the level of this, particularly in artistic and academic spaces, is shocking.

What do you wish you had known before leaving for your exchange?

I wish I had known about the scarcity of the English language in certain classroom setups, then I would’ve joined Duolingo much earlier, haha! The communication was that the course is in English, but most fellow students and some educators struggled with the idea of having to switch from German to English in order to accommodate international students.

What did you enjoy the most?

I’ve enjoyed the beautiful views; Switzerland is quite a sight. I’ve loved how there’s always something to do in Zurich and I’ve enjoyed lots of Swiss cheese! Yum. I’ve enjoyed making valuable connections and friendships and I’ve enjoyed attending the live jazz shows every Tuesday evening at Mehrspur. I’ve met some amazing people and artists. Although there is a lot of groundwork to be done, I cannot deny the beauty that this experience has brought me. The experience has broadened my mind in relation to new ideas, needs, knowledge and different cultures within Europe.

What cultural insights are you bringing back from your exchange?

I’ve enjoyed learning about Swiss food, the cheese has been great, and so has the chocolate and the bread and the beer and the list goes on. It is interesting to learn how different cultures in Europe are known for different types of food, etc.

With which experiences and results did you leave?

I leave with the experience of valuable friendships, friendships that have been willing to do the work of noting our differences and finding ways to co-exist in a changing world. I leave with a new drive for my artistic work and some lived experiences that continue to shape and shift me as a Black, South African artist navigating the world.

Do we need art? And if so, why?

Absolutely. Of course we need art. Firstly, the world would be so boring without it. Voicing and moving are basic human needs. Our bodies carry a lot, and if artists are willing to do the work of crafting and bringing forms of release to the people, we ought to uphold and celebrate this industry, dearly. Thank goodness for artists who are willing to do this brave work of searching, finding, telling and naming. It takes courage to search and tell.

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Interested in going on an exchange?

→ Find out more about mobility for incoming students

→ Find out more about mobility for outgoing students

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