From Internship to Master’s Thesis: Insights into the IYFEP

Last autumn, I had the opportunity to complete a six-month internship at AHA International. For me, it was my first extended practical experience and thus also my transition from university to professional life. As an intern, I gained insights into AHA’s projects and approach. With that, I was able to link my master’s thesis directly to an ongoing project, thus combining academic work with practical experience.

The focus of my work was the International Young Farmers Exchange Programme (IYFEP), which has been organised since 2019 by the AHA in collaboration with the Schorlemer Foundation of the German Farmers’ Association and the Young Farmers’ Federation of Uganda (UNYFA). The aim of the programme is to provide young farmers with practical knowledge, entrepreneurial thinking and intercultural skills through a three-month exchange between Germany and Uganda. For my master’s thesis, I was able to investigate the effects of the programme on Ugandan alumni – personally, entrepreneurially and socially.

To do this, I travelled to Uganda in February, visited UNYFA and met former participants on their farms. These encounters were very memorable. I was deeply impressed by the joy and openness with which the alumni talked about their experiences in Germany. They took me to their farms, showed me their innovations and described how the exchange had changed them personally and professionally.

Often, it was small details that had a big impact: the decision to take up farming as their main occupation. Or the introduction of accounting methods, which new doors for cooperation and investment.

It was striking to observe how much the alumni spoke about their German host farms. Many reported that besides farm practices, they had learned a new work culture where employees are being involved and responsibility is shared. These experiences led them to reconsider their own management style in Uganda and as a resultsresult have more motivated employees.

I was also impressed by the creativity with which the alumni implemented innovations. Some specialised in specific areas, such as a farmer who focused almost entirely on growing lettuce, serving both urban and rural markets. Others diversified their businesses and combined different sources of income. Technical innovations ranged from solar-powered water pumps that also supply the village community with water to a hygiene gate in pig stables that improves animal health and productivity.
It also became clear that IYFEP not only strengthens individuals but also influences entire communities. Many alumni passed on their knowledge – through training courses for employees, consultations for neighbouring farms or training courses for young people.

This resulted in various multiplier effects. An alumni network founded its own savings and credit cooperative (SACCO), which now has over 20 members and enables joint investments. Others are involved in community projects, such as school meals, farmers’ organisations or the Youth Climate Council.
The discussions made me realise how much the programme contributes to strengthening self-efficacy – the confidence to use one’s own abilities and remain capable of acting even in uncertain situations. Many alumni said that they now make bolder decisions, implement innovations independently and are perceived more strongly as leaders in their region. This not only increases entrepreneurial independence, but also social engagement.

For me personally, the trip to Uganda and working on my master’s thesis was an experience that had a lasting impact on me. I learned how valuable intercultural exchange is, not only for the participants, but also for those like me who are able to gain insights from the outside. IYFEP impressively demonstrates that it is not just about imparting specialist knowledge. Rather, impact is created through the interplay of learning from one’s own experience, social exchange and the strengthening of soft skills.