Two young women from the district have left their usual home for four months and are going to West Africa for an internship. In the interview they talk about their experiences in Gambia, their work at the school and what they miss most since their return to Germany. Going abroad after graduating from high school, that is the plan of many school graduates in Germany. Two young women from the district of Amberg-Sulzbach have dared a special adventure and completed a social internship in the West African Gambia for four months. This was made possible by the Amberg-based association Socialis for The Gambia, which supports the educational work in the small African country by financing a pre-school and primary school as well as a training centre. In an interview, Iris (18) and Julia (19) talk about their experiences in Gambia, their work at the school and what they miss most since their return to Germany How did it come about that you decided to do an internship in Gambia? Julia: I always wanted to go abroad for a longer time, because you can get to know a country very differently when you live there than when you are only there as a tourist for a few weeks. After my high school diploma I decided to put this into practice. Iris: I also wanted to try something new and improve my English, but at the same time I wanted to make use of something from my surroundings. And so I went to Gambia through the Amberg-based association Socialis for the Gambia. What was your first impression when you arrived? Iris: Ohjemine, where have I landed here! [laughs] It was a little bit poorer than expected. Julia: I can remember exactly how we were picked up from the airport and suddenly a cow ran in front of the car and we had to stop abruptly. Besides, it was unbelievably hot and there was sand and garbage everywhere. But from the very beginning I was especially fascinated by the women in their colourful dresses, carrying their children on their backs and balancing a fruit bowl on their heads at the same time. How was your daily routine? Julia: During the week we took our bikes in the morning and on the way to school we took our breakfast in the shop next door. Then from 8 to half past 4 we were