{"id":35681,"date":"2025-12-09T12:58:06","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T11:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/?p=35681"},"modified":"2026-01-13T14:12:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T13:12:58","slug":"volunteering-to-support-international-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/volunteering-to-support-international-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteering to support international students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Freiburg, 19\/12\/2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the past ten years, Regine Schandera has been volunteering to help international students and doctoral candidates at the University of Freiburg. She supports new arrivals as they settle into Freiburg and build a new life for themselves in Germany.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Foreign language secretary Regine Schandera has been volunteering to support international students at the University of Freiburg for around ten years. Photo: Klaus Polkowski \/ University of Freiburg<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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When physics student Kabir from Cameroon finally found a one-room flat in Freiburg in 2015 after a long search, he stood in an empty room without any furniture of his own: not even a bed, wardrobe or table. Regine Schandera from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University of Freiburg heard about his plight from a colleague. The foreign language secretary immediately said to herself: \u201cI want to help him.\u201d Together with a colleague, she organised furniture and household items from surrounding communities and a parish within a day. By the evening, Kabir’s new home was fully furnished and he was moved to tears. For Regine Schandera, this was the beginning of a long-standing commitment to international students and doctoral candidates at the University of Freiburg.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The 69-year-old worked as a nurse for 26 years, 14 of which were spent abroad. \u201cI worked in Kerala, India, among other places, and quickly realised how much I, as a foreigner, depended on support to find my way in a new country. I want to give something back based on this experience,\u201d she says. Due to severe back problems, she retrained as a European secretary in 2003 and successfully completed her training two years later. Since 2005, Schandera has been working as a foreign language secretary at the University of Freiburg \u2013 first at the Institute of Theology, later at the Institute of Physics. In 2019, she moved to the Institute of Organic Chemistry, where she continues to work part-time even after her retirement. In her everyday office life, she experiences the challenges faced by international students and doctoral candidates on a daily basis and has been supporting them for around ten years now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t \u201cI worked in Kerala, India, among other places, and quickly realised how much I, as a foreigner, depended on support to find my way in a new country. I want to give something back based on this experience.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tRegine Schandera\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tForeign language secretary at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Between searching for furniture, visiting government offices and attending doctor\u2018s appointments<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In her individual voluntary work, Schandera works closely with the International Office at the University of Freiburg. \u201cThe International Office and I support each other. When they become aware of someone who needs help settling into the city, the staff contact me. Conversely, I can refer \u2018my students and doctoral candidates\u2019 to them if they have any questions about their studies or the University,\u201d explains Schandera. International students and doctoral candidates also learn about her work through professors, secretaries and other fellow students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After work or on weekends, she helps young people with a wide variety of things, from finding an affordable German course to filling out various forms for different government agencies. \u201cAs a translation assistant, I accompany new arrivals to various public offices, for example. I also help them find a GP and drive them to doctor’s appointments. If possible, I contact them before they arrive in Freiburg. Because of the time difference, we sometimes talk on the phone at night and go through the first forms together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Schandera\u2019s volunteer work goes even further: \u201cI am always on the lookout for furniture, household items and clothing that I can distribute to students and doctoral candidates,\u201d she reports. \u201cI am also in regular contact with real estate agents and try to find flats or vacant rooms.\u201d Once students or doctoral candidates have found accommodation, they can also rely on Schandera to help them move in. She transports the furniture in her small car or a rental car and helps to furnish the rooms. Being able to offer security and reliability is particularly important to her. \u201cThere was even a case where a student had to go to hospital in an emergency. I drove him there at midnight, waited and brought him back home again.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cSomeone who is there for us\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Regine Schandera helped physics student Aravind settle in Freiburg. Photo: Klaus Polkowski \/ University of Freiburg <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Aravind knows only too well the challenges that come with arriving in a new country and at a new university. In 2022, he will come to Freiburg from Kerala in India to begin his master\u2019s degree at the Institute of Physics. \u201cIt was particularly difficult for me to cope with German bureaucracy,\u201d he says. \u201cBut settling in and building a network was also not easy in a completely unfamiliar environment.\u201d He learned about Schandera through a fellow student, and she helped him wherever she could to build an independent life in Freiburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRegine makes us feel that we are not alone in our everyday lives, that we have someone here in Freiburg who is there for us in a very special way. That is invaluable,\u201d he says. One memory in particular remains vivid in his mind: \u201cWhen I was ill, she supported me immediately. She brought me food, did my shopping and even accompanied me to the doctor. I was deeply touched by her thoughtfulness. I will never forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cRegine makes us feel that we are not alone in our everyday lives, that we have someone here in Freiburg who is there for us in a very special way. That is invaluable.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tAravind\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tStudent at the Physics Institute, University of Freiburg\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Support across all origins<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the past few years, Schandera has built up a broad network. \u201cFirst, I asked my friends if anyone had any clothes to donate. Then I asked their friends. Now I also use various messenger groups where people give away items or offer them at low prices,\u201d she explains. If she finds suitable items there, she picks them up after work and brings them directly to the students and doctoral candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also receives a lot of support for her voluntary work from the international students themselves. She is particularly happy about how helpful they are to each other. \u201cThey are all always willing to help each other \u2013 regardless of whether they know each other or not. And regardless of their origins. It’s just great and it blows me away every time!\u201d she says with a laugh.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cI regularly look beyond my own horizons, get to know other opinions and perspectives. Through this work I have developed friendships that have lasted for years.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tRegine Schandera\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tForeign language secretary at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A close community<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The students and doctoral candidates not only help each other in everyday life, but also go on trips together with Schandera, celebrate birthdays, passing exams or cultural holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One evening in particular stands out in Schandera\u2019s mind: \u201cLast year, a group of Chinese students cooked for me on my birthday and we celebrated together at home. When we had finished eating, there was a sudden knock at the door and a group of African students stood there with a homemade cake, which we all ate together. I knew nothing about it and was delighted. It showed me once again that you get back much more than you give.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is exactly what Schandera appreciates so much about her voluntary work: \u201cI regularly look beyond my own horizons, get to know other opinions and perspectives. Through this work I have developed friendships that have lasted for years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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International students and Regine Schandera on a canoe trip. Photo: Private<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She will turn 70 next year and some activities are no longer as easy for her. This makes her desire to find one or two people to support her in her voluntary work \u2013 or to provide her with empty basement rooms \u2013 all the greater. Time and again, she has to turn down well-preserved items because she lacks storage space. \u201cIt would be wonderful if students and doctoral candidates could continue to be supported in this way \u2013 no matter what it is they need,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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International Office<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The International Office at the University of Freiburg is the central point of contact for international students and doctoral candidates. It advises and supports them in all matters relating to their studies or research stay at the University of Freiburg \u2013 from enrolment and financing options to formal matters such as visas and residence permits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tContact\t<\/p>\n\t

\n\t\tUniversity and Science Communications<\/strong>\t<\/p>\n\t

\n\t\tUniversity of Freiburg
Tel.: +49 761 203 4302<\/a>
E-Mail: kommunikation@zv.uni-freiburg.de<\/a>\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When physics student Kabir from Cameroon finally found a one-room flat in Freiburg in 2015 after a long search, he stood in an empty room without any furniture of his own: not even a bed, wardrobe or table. Regine Schandera from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University of Freiburg heard about his plight<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":751,"featured_media":35684,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_trash_the_other_posts":false,"editor_notices":[],"_show_in_pageentry_slider":true,"_pageentry_slider_title":"Volunteering to support international students","footnotes":""},"categories":[48,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faces","category-university"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/schandera_aravind_web_klaus_polkowski_universitaet_freiburg-2.jpg","featured_image_alt":"Older woman with gray hair, glasses, and a blue wool shawl stands smiling on a balcony. In the background, the city of Freiburg is visible with the Freiburg Minster, modern buildings, and the Black Forest. The sun is shining and the sky is partly cloudy.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/751"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35681"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35834,"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35681\/revisions\/35834"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}