XENOS: Help for international students in need

Moving to a new city, starting a new phase of life, learning a lot, making new friends, enjoying life. Studying is fun, but it also has to be funded. For international students, the financial burden is typically higher than for local students. Students from non-European countries often have to deposit a guarantee payment of several thousand euros with the German embassy in their home country before entering Germany. And many internationals have to work alongside their studies to keep their heads above water – often in the restaurant industry, in jobs that have disappeared in the pandemic. And now? That's where XENOS comes in, with various offers of assistance.

XENOS is a Bremen-based association founded in 1984 to support foreign students in need at all Bremen universities. The word “xenos” comes from Greek and means something like: the “stranger” should be treated as a “guest". And the name says it all.

XENOS not only provides financial support, it also connects students to other aid organisations and benefits. Normally, XENOS supports around 20 of the approximately 5,000 foreign students in Bremen each year, with a total of about 14,000 euros. But thanks to a very successful fundraising campaign, 57 students enjoyed financial support in 2020.

The amount of support a student receives always depends on their individual need, and ranges between 400 and 1,000 euros per month. Housing costs, university semester fees and broadcast licence fees may be covered. For many international students in need, these grants are the crucial help they need to continue their studies.

If you are interested in XENOS and would like to donate, you can find more information here.