This is the success story of Puleng Tsie (31), a master’s degree student in Environmental Management in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria (UP).

’’I have always been interested in science but was never good at it. The options in science at school level were also very limited. After matric I enrolled at the former Vista University (which was soon after incorporated by UP) for a general BSc. After I moved to the Hatfield Campus I switched to BSc Biological Sciences and found my science. I realised that although science was a difficult field, the most important lesson for me was to establish which aspect of science I loved and understood. I believe this is one of the biggest reasons why so many learners don’t want to study science. As science communicator I see it as my duty to demystify the notion that science is difficult. Science is hard work, but it is not difficult once you have found your science (passion),” explains Puleng.

She refused to be intimidated and confused by science. Besides studying tirelessly for her master’s degree, she works as a science communicator at Sci-Enza and also plans to pursue a PhD in either Environmental Science or Environmental Communication.

Puleng’s advice for learners who are interested in science: ‘’Find out as much as possible about what you want to do for the rest of your life – study something that you are really interested in. Talk to people who are in similar careers. Also be prepared to change your mind in the process – explore all possible avenues until you find your science.’’

The goal of the "Cultural Professionals" programme is to encourage the development of cooperative projects and the implementation of long-term exchange networks between public establishments, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and Communication and their foreign counterparts. This programme is directed at foreign cultural professionals working in cultural institutions holding management positions in their home establishments. These professionals must, in cooperation with the host establishment in France, propose a solid project grounded in the exchange of Knowledge and know-how in order to strengthen ties between the home establishments and host establishments. Puleng will benefit from Universcience's experience as regards the preparation and the organisation of the Science Festival organised each year at the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie. During her two-month internship, she will be part of the organisational team and will gather advice in methodology for the organisation of scientific events.