Conquering the ocean

After battling to adjust, following a move to Spain 13 years ago, Ashlynn Zoe Paulse is soaring to great heights, as she prepares to embark on a marine engineering career.
Gabby Tjiroze
Leandrea Louw



Ashlynn Zoe Paulse is 25 and originally from Narraville in Walvis Bay. She is currently in the final year of her marine engineering studies in Spain.

Upon her return to Namibia, after passing her final year, she will be the first female marine engineer in the country.

“I grew up in Narraville with my mom, sister and cousins. When I was seven years old, my mom met my stepfather, and when I turned 12 we moved to Spain.

“Moving to Spain was very hard for me. I had to start all over again. I needed to learn a new language, a new culture and a new school system. I was a fish out of water. At times I was so sad, and couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was halfway around the world,” Paulse said.

“It took us about three years to finally fit in. However, my mother, Carmen, was the one who motivated us, taught us and talked us through the challenges. It became easier later on and in high school my mother told us, if we wanted something, we would have to work for it. By that she meant we had to bring home good grades.”

Paulse said when she completed her final year of high school, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do next.

“My father is an engineer, so I thought to myself, why not? I talked to him about it, but he didn't want to hear anything about me becoming an engineer. He told me, if I do become an engineer, my life will be devoted to my work. He asked me, what if I have a family? I would not be able to spend time with my family.

“I then decided to study administration, but it just didn't feel right and I knew I had to make a change. After about a year, I applied to the Maritime School in Vigo. Later on I went to Germany to do vocational training, and while I was there I was accepted into the Maritime School and in 2014 I started with my first year.

“I was very excited and although my dad was sceptical at first, he was extremely proud of me. He even helps me with my assignments and even drives me back and forth from home to school. At first everything was strange and difficult, but I told myself nobody is going to put bread on your table and nothing in life is free,” Paulse said.

She passed her first two years with flying colours and then had to find a job to do her practical training.

“I applied for a job at Tunacor to do my year at sea, and in September 2016 I sailed with the Oshakati. This was also the same boat my father had worked on and I slept in his cabin, as well. I worked as a greaser on the Oshakati, after which I decided to study further. Currently, I am doing my higher grade that I will complete next year in March.

“After my graduation I will be fully qualified in accordance with the provisions of the II/5 STCW F Convention, as a chief engineer of vessels up to 3 000 kilowatt, and a first engineer of fishing vessels, unlimited.

“We started the year being only two girls in the class. This in itself is challenging. This means you have to study harder, just to be on the same level or better as the guys. Some of them are openly jealous and hostile towards you.

“Ever since I started studying, until this very day, I still get negative comments, like 'what are you doing studying marine engineering, what are you doing on a boat, go study something else'. This only motivated me more,” Paulse added.

She explained that after her first two years she wasn't sure if she should continue studying.

“I decided to go to sea, to see if this was really meant for me. During my year at sea, I realised that this is exactly where I want to be.”

Being Afrikaans-speaking, she had to learn Spanish, which is required by both primary and secondary schools in the country. The teaching medium at the Maritime School is also Spanish.

“I now speak and write Spanish fluently. I also fund the additional costs of my studies, by teaching others English.” She'll be in Walvis Bay until September, to teach Spanish language classes.

Paulse advises her fellow youth to read about the career they wish to pursue.

“Don't let anybody tell you what to do and never accept no for an answer. The moment you make a decision, stick to it. It doesn't matter if you stand out from the crowd and remember to always follow your heart. ”



FACT BOX:

• Marine engineering is a branch of study that deals with the design, development, production and maintenance of the equipment used at sea, on vessels like boats and ships.

• Marine engineers are responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of all major mechanical and engineering equipment on board a ship. This includes the propulsion, electrical, refrigeration and steering systems.

• To be a qualified engineer you need to study about four years and do one year of practical.

• Namibia currently does not offer courses or degrees in marine engineering, but is in the process of establishing a school of marine engineering and maritime sciences.

• Spain offers free tertiary education, with students only paying additional costs like transport and for photocopies.