My education was always based on the idea of diversity and understanding of different contexts. The interference of a lot of different subjects in ecology fascinated me. I focused my studies and interests on ecology, economy and social behavior. I definitely always try to understand why things happen and how they happen. My studies were directed that way.

post-graduate formation

thesis :

My thesis was embeded in a project of the GTZ in Germany and it was a challenge to me to find an adequate answer to the question in a few months.

“Small ruminants in the region Ader-Doutchi/Niger. Optimization possibilities to holding and limiting the number of goats and sheep. A contribution to the stabilization of the ecological equilibrium”

university and language training

When I lived in the United States, I was determined to learn French. So after my high school diploma in Germany, I went to the south of France to learn French. Having lots of chats with friends, I found out that geography and ecology would be my destination. I left for Fribourg (which noone down there understood …), but I looked for serious quality studying in a bilingual university.

description of my university studies

In 1991, I started my studies in geography at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. I chose geography for its interdisciplinary approach and the wide range of working possibilities, which this discipline offers. The town of Fribourg is bilingual – German/French – therefore all of my studies were completely bilingual too. Some courses were held in French, some in German and some in French and German or Swiss German. Occassionally we had also the opportunity to listen to English speaking guest professors.

During the first year, the studies were hence divided into a large scale of subjects:

human geography methodology I.1 sociology micro economics relationship between ecology and economy global change and environment quantitive methods I.1

introduction to physical geography applicated geomorphology biogeography climatology geology mapping

The second year was already more specified, certain subjects droped out, others came in:

During my third year of university, I divided my studies between the university of Fribourg and the university of Bern taking part in an inter-university project called BeNeFri. This project was started in 1993, allowing the students of one of the three universities – Fribourg, Bern and Neuchâtel – to visit and to credit the classes of the partner universities. At that time I started to get more specialized in questions of development countries, ecological/economical impacts and human reactions to ecological problems.

In Fribourg I credited the following classes: human geography II theoretical human geography II rural development in western Africa biogeography II geomorphology II GIS teledection

In Bern I studied the complementary part: regional development in Europe problems of development countries psychology (acting with ecological problem: the social structure, from the comprehension to real manner changes) general ground structures I (Bodenkunde) general ecology

The last year of my university classes was very intense, as I already prepared the thesis of my final paper and hence my departure to Niger.

In Fribourg I attended: theorectical human geography II regional geography in development countries GIS teledetection

I credited the following classes in Bern: ecological basics and resources in the tropical areas scientifical theory (Wissenschaftshermeneutik) tropics and subtropics general ground structures II general ecology II

To prepare my final paper I worked with professors and doctorits of the university of Bern (Dr.Wiesmann), Fribourg (Dr.Hammer & Prof.Leimgruber) and Lausanne (Prof.Winistorfer). I would like to thank them a lot fpr having helped me in structuring my ideas and giving me new input to develop my subject.

After my stay in Niger, where professor Winistorfer was so kind to visite me during one of his professional stays in the country, I worked out my final paper. I also prepared my exams which I finished successfully in 1997.

high school

My high school carreer was divided into a section in Denmark, the US and partially in Germany. The system in the International School was certainly closer to the American approach than the German system. It was quite difficult for me to regain the German way of studying after several years of foreign schools (1984 – 1987). The experience was very challenging and the essence, I could get out of it, is still profitable to me.

1987 – 1990 : “Abitur” Nicolaus-Cusanus Gymnasium (Germany)

1986 – 1987 : Springville High school (Utah/USA)

1984 – 1986 : International school of Copenhagen (Denmark)