Reflecting on their semester exchange experience at the University of Málaga in Spain are, from left: Remember Jonnie (Master of Social Work), Lungie Motau (Master of Agricultural Management), Leah Mothiba (Master of Agricultural Management) and Blessing Shongwe (Master of Arts in Communication Studies). Photo: Lebogang Matheba
Semester exchange programme gives students international academic exposure, research experience and an opportunity to learn in a different cultural environment
By Lesego Maaba &Thabiseng Ngobeni – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
Six University of Limpopo (UL) students have returned from a semester exchange programme at the University of Málaga in Spain, bringing home new approaches to research, learning and life beyond South Africa
The students were welcomed back by UL’s Office of International Affairs on 1 July 2026. They form the largest group of UL students to participate in the programme since the partnership between the two universities began.
The exchange programme gives students an opportunity to study in a different academic environment while experiencing new cultures and approaches to teaching and research.
Master of Agricultural Management student, Leah Mothiba, said the experience would assist improve her research output.
“I learnt a lot in Málaga, and the experience will contribute positively to my research as I was exposed to a different approach to conducting academic research,” said Mothiba.
She added: “The experience was life-changing, not only did I get an opportunity to immerse myself in a different education system, but in Spanish culture also.”
Lungie Motau, also a Master of Agricultural Management student, said living in Spain required adjusting to a different way of life.
“One of the biggest challenges was adapting to the food because it was very different from what we are used to in South Africa. However, with time, we adjusted and learnt to appreciate the cultural differences,” Motau said.
Master of Social Work student, Remember Jonnie, said travelling abroad through the exchange programme was an opportunity he did not take for granted.
“I am thankful for the opportunity and consider it a privilege because not everyone gets an opportunity to travel abroad with all costs fully covered,” he said.
Blessing Shongwe, a Master’s student in Communication Studies and a Digital Marketing Student Assistant at UL Marketing and Communication, said he was grateful for the experience and would welcome another opportunity to participate in an international exchange programme.
Senior International Practitioner for International Partnerships, Collaboration and Scholarships at UL, Vusi Makamu, said the programme is supported through Erasmus+ funding, which provides financial support to participating students and staff.
Each year, selected UL students spend one academic semester at the University of Málaga, while academic staff participate in week-long exchange visits. The programme promotes the sharing of research, teaching practices and knowledge between the two institutions.
Makamu said international exchange programmes form an important part of UL’s internationalisation efforts and expose students to learning beyond their home institution.
Academic staff from the University of Málaga have already visited UL. Although students from the Spanish university are yet to undertake a semester exchange at UL, Makamu said the university hopes to welcome undergraduate and postgraduate students from Málaga in future.
“The programme is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, although there is a stronger emphasis on postgraduate participation because of the flexibility of their research-based academic responsibilities,” he said.
Makamu encouraged students interested in future exchange programmes to follow university communication platforms and maintain good academic performance.
“The experience was life-changing, not only did I get an opportunity to immerse myself in a different education system, but in Spanish culture also.”
Senior International Practitioner for I n t e r n a t i o n a l P a r t n e r s h i p s , Collaboration and Scholarships at the University of Limpopo, Vusi Makamu, explains the role of international exchange programmes in broadening students’ academic and cultural experiences.