Curious about how volunteering can enrich your student life?

Interested in learning more about what BTU Buddies do?

Read Natasha Bhaskar Shinde’s story about her experience as a new international student and how joining the Buddy Programme gave her the chance to get involved and contribute to the international student community.

,,I always wanted to move abroad for my higher studies. The idea of moving to a new country, having a clean slate, and starting life from scratch sounded super scary—but it was also incredibly exciting. I moved to Germany and to BTU for a better academic future, but also because I knew that life had so much more to offer than my hometown and the city I had moved to for my Bachelor's degree.

However, as the days to my departure approached, I began to feel a strong sense of fear—a fear that almost consumed me. The fear of the unknown, the countless meetings and interviews, and all the paperwork. I enjoyed every bit of the process, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t constantly on edge.

I didn’t have an official BTU Buddy, but I did get in touch with a senior who helped me navigate one of the most chaotic procedures:
finding an apartment. He also made the first few weeks in Cottbus less overwhelming and made life in Cottbus feel easy and calm.

I’m sure many students currently going through this process are experiencing the same rollercoaster of emotions that I did. The good news is—you don’t have to go through it alone. This is what the BTU Buddy Programme is all about. It’s a group of volunteers, like myself, who have gone through everything that you will soon experience. And we’ll be here to guide you through it all, from one student to another.

BTU Buddy volunteers are students from BTU who have offered their time to make your initial days in Cottbus smoother and less confusing.

We’re also available to support you with your doubts and questions even before you land in Germany. For new students joining Cottbus, we’re here to offer guidance and help in any way we can.

I also hope that many more students will join us as volunteers, because the BTU Buddy Programme is a platform to connect with both new and current students. It’s a safe space to make new friends, reconnect, and make a positive impact on the lives of students who are just beginning their journey.''

A small step can make a big difference! For Reza Ranjbar, volunteering became a way to go beyond the university bubble, discover his new surroundings, and actively contribute to the society around him.

“My name is Reza Ranjbar. I come from Iran and I am currently studying for my Master of Science in Environmental Engineering at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. 

Before coming to Germany, I already had several years of experience studying and working in a university environment in my home country. However, moving abroad was a turning point for me. It opened the door to new opportunities, new cultures, and new experiences. At the same time, it also showed me that building a life in a new country is not only about studying and academic success. Of course, university and education are very important, but integration also means making connections, understanding the local society, and learning how to live together with people from different backgrounds. For me, volunteering became one important way to do this. 

Through my voluntary work with Amnesty, I had the chance to meet people outside the university environment and to understand more about what is happening in society beyond an academic perspective. As an international student, this is very valuable. It helps you see the city and the people around you differently. You do not only stay inside the university bubble; you become more connected to the place where you live. 

Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to stand for something you believe in. Every person can choose a field that matters to them. Some people may want to support children or elderly people, others may care about animals, the environment, or human rights. What matters is not how big the action is. Even a small step can have a positive effect. 

At the same time, volunteering is not only beneficial for society. It also gives something back to you. You get to know local people, you learn how the local community works, and you develop skills that can be useful for your studies, your future work, and your personal life. You also meet people who can help you understand situations that may feel unfamiliar when you are new in a country. 

Most importantly, volunteering gives you a deep feeling of satisfaction: the feeling that you are not only living in a society, but also contributing to it. 

I have always wanted to have a positive impact beyond my academic life. That is why I chose this path. It does not matter if you can help for a long time or only for a short time. It does not matter if your contribution is big or small. Even one step can be meaningful — both for you and for the society around you. 

For students, my message is: try to get involved. Volunteering can help you feel more connected, more confident, and more at home in your new environment.''

Interested in student politics and want to learn more? Read David Camilo Zambrano Chacon’s testimonial and discover the important work of StuRa Internationales.

“I came to Germany because I wanted to discover what life had to offer beyond what I already knew. Growing up in Colombia, I understood how things worked there (the culture, the system, and daily life). Still, I was always curious about experiencing something different. BTU offered an international environment and different focus areas related to nature and sustainability so I decided to see it with my own eyes.

Moving to a new country alone was exciting but also overwhelming. Suddenly, I had to learn how to navigate a completely different system: bureaucracy, housing, taxes, online platforms, and a new academic culture. At the same time, I was trying to build a new life, make connections, work and learn the language. Despite the challenges, I enjoyed this phase because it helped me understand more about myself and what I wanted for my life.

During my first semesters, I was so focused on managing all these aspects that I was not very involved with student initiatives. However, once I understood life in Germany and at BTU better, I started discovering how many opportunities and support systems actually existed for students.

I rediscovered the Student Council (StuRa) after returning from my exchange semester. I had heard about it before but I never really understood what it was. During my semester abroad, I had a lot of contact with the student council at my host university and I realized how important student representation can be. That experience made me see that StuRa could connect even more with international students and I felt motivated to contribute to that.

StuRa acts as a bridge between students, the university and other regional actors. Our goal is to improve student life and make the university experience more enjoyable. Through the International Department, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute in different ways, for instance, from helping students in difficult situations and supporting conflict resolution to proposing improvements for university courses and organizing cultural activities and collaborations with regional events.

What I value most about this experience is that it showed me how much people genuinely care about the student community and how much positive change can happen when students become involved. I learned not only how to navigate the university and the city better but also how important participation and representation are, especially for international students.

I encourage other international students to get involved in initiatives like StuRa. It is a great opportunity to bring our perspectives to the table and help improve the experience for future students. I believe that the only way to preserve what is already good at the university and improve what still has room to grow is by actively building it. “