Interview with BTU Alumnus Henry Crescini (World Heritage Studies)

Henry studied cultural management at the Universidad Central de Venezuela and earned his master's degree in World Heritage Studies at BTU. He then worked in the Cottbus city administration and at the Society for Inclusion and Social Work until he returned to the BTU in 2020 as an event and communications manager at the startup Revier EAST.

Hi Henry, how did you come to study at BTU back then and how does your studies help you at work today?
I was looking for study abroad opportunities and found World Heritage Studies at BTU really interesting, especially because it's an English-language program that attracts students from all kinds of countries. During our studies, we were always taught to be open-minded and flexible. This is very important in the current working world, which is becoming more and more characterized by this flexibility in design, even though many companies are still anchored in old structures.

World Heritage Studies is definitely a special course of study, which is characterized above all by its internationality. To whom would you recommend the study program, what interests should one bring along and what should one be prepared for?
WHS is a very multidisciplinary course of study in which you very often have to "pick and choose" the relevant course content. Even if students have their own ideas of specializations, they have to deal with many topics that will not necessarily be useful for their professional future. However, I recommend the program to anyone who is willing to try out many things in the field of culture and broaden their horizons.

You came to Cottbus from Venezuela and have been living here for 14 years now. What do you like most about Cottbus and the region?
Cottbus is a city of short distances where you can find everything you need: lots of green spaces, a variety of entertainment and shopping options as well as cultural activities and a housing market that is not yet so tight. But you have to be open to wanting to get involved and break through some often very conservative structures.

You're working to network the regional startup scene, what kind of offerings do you have and where is the best place to get information?
I am very happy to work at Startup Revier EAST, because we want to address all people who want to make a strong contribution to the region with their ideas. On our website www.startuprevier.de you can find, among other things, blog articles with interviews with founders or a startup atlas with all regional players in one place. We also offer regular insights into the regional start-up scene with our free event newsletter and our social media presence. Next, however, I am particularly looking forward to our STARTPARADE, which will take place on September 23, 2022, in the courtyard of STARTBLOCK B2. At this event, we want to celebrate the first two years of the project and the development of the regional startup scene in a really big way, with live acts, keynote by Maria-Liisa Bruckert (founder of SQIN), startup market, the opening of the COLab high-tech workshop and lots of delicious food and drinks. All of this is open to everyone and free of charge. Thus, we want to say goodbye to the classic, dry conferences and meet the regional creatives at eye level. More info is available online: www.startuprevier.de/index.php/startparade

What do you think of most when you remember your student days?
All the activities on and around campus. I often had the opportunity to participate with other students in events like Cottbus Open or the summer festival, either as a musician or by selling traditional food from my birth country. I am glad to have had this experience.