XENOS e. V. – the association that matters!

We were able to speak to the association’s secretary Sigrid Dauks, alumna of history.

The association for the advancement of students from abroad in distress at the universities in Bremen is not quite a catchy title, but a more than important effort. And it has been since 1984! The universities already then realized that international students could also end up in particularly difficult financial situations, which are often even more complicated to solve for them than for their fellow students from Germany.

A laptop stops working right before finishing university, a longer illness prevents earning much needed money, a family crisis calls for an immediate trip to the country of origin – life can often throw you in situations that one cannot solve on one’s own.

That is when they step in, the knights in shining armor of Xenos, who are almost always able to reduce the financial burden, so that the respective student can finish their studies. And those are exactly the stories they remember when thinking back to their time as students in Bremen – as all international students are ambassadors to our universities at the same time.

This is a known fact at the universities in Bremerhaven and Bremen. Xenos is Greek and can mean foreigner as well as guest. In a good Hanseatic manner, where we lend a hand to one another, we want to make sure that foreigners become guests and even friends.

Guidance at the International Office, a simple application process, and a personal interview with the Xenos support committee pave the way for financial support. What is noteworthy is that this kind of help is needed more and more often! Therefore, the association is in desperate need of supporters who are willing to donate and/or help promote the association. You can become a personal member for only 5 € per month or an institutional member for 250 € per year. You can find more information here: https://www.xenos-bremen.de/

In the tradition of the Bremen universities, a solidary Euro is also worth a thought – what do you think? It may result in one less coffee – or scoop of ice cream – but you may save a student from a difficult situation and help them start their career. When asked for their vision for the association, the prompt answer was: to become superfluous!

We wish the association the best of luck in accomplishing that… but until then – please consider your possibilities. It’s worth it!

_{Author: Manuela Brocksieper}