If you’ve fallen in love with Bremen and want to give back, volunteering is a great way to do so. Not only will you be helping the community you live in, but also volunteering is an opportunity for personal growth and developing lifelong skills.
Research indicates that individuals who are actively involved in their community experience benefits such as improved self-esteem and increased confidence. Volunteering introduces you to a myriad of life stories and people from all sorts of backgrounds you wouldn’t have met had you not offered your time and skills to them. There are numerous volunteer opportunities for students in Bremen, some of which don’t require you to speak German. Examples of volunteer activities in Bremen include tutoring, providing care services, and volunteering at a food bank. There’s always something for everyone. I hope this student volunteer guide is helpful.
Top Volunteer Opportunities
Depending on what your interests or skills are, there are different types of volunteering that match your skill set. If your interests lie in directly helping the community, you can volunteer at a food bank, tutor local kids, babysit, or participate in local charity work, such as caring for the elderly. These volunteer opportunities enable you to engage with our community. They will help you become mature, because not only are you actively giving your time to someone else, but you’re also likely to learn a lot from the people you’re serving. If your interests lie in serving the community by caring for the environment, consider exploring environmental projects. You could always help out by signing up for clean-ups around the neighborhood or even planting trees in your local park.
Tips for Getting Involved
Finding local volunteer groups may seem intimidating, especially if you’re not familiar with German. However, it’s not that difficult. To find volunteer opportunities in Bremen, I use the Freiwilligen Agentur Bremen website. It’s a great resource because you can filter by the districts in Bremen, your interests, and German level. Another pro-tip for finding volunteer activities in Bremen is to look at the posters on the walls or bulletin boards the next time you go grocery shopping or take a walk. Most of the time, local organizations will put out ads looking for volunteers. While volunteering is a great thing to do, not only for your community but for you, it’s important to find ways to balance volunteering with studies. Volunteering on the weekends is a productive way to balance the two. Not to mention, most organizations are aware of the hectic schedule’s students have and are flexible with the hours you can work. Don’t sweat it if you must take time to focus on your studies, the community is always there to have you back when you’re ready to volunteer again.
I hope this volunteering guide was the final push you needed to get involved in helping the Bremen community we’ve come to know and love. However, if you’re still unsure, here’s something I hope will encourage you to volunteer. For certain activities, you can obtain a volunteering certificate that proves your dedication to your community, which will look great on your résumé. With that being said, have a great time volunteering!
