About this video

• Video Title: Ehrenamt neben dem Studium - Pointer fragt nach
• Channel: Pointer
• Speakers: Anne
• Duration: 00:04:47

Overview

This video features Anne from Pointer interviewing university students about their involvement in volunteer work (Ehrenamt) alongside their studies. The discussion explores the types of volunteer activities students engage in, their motivations for participating, and how these experiences impact their lives and potentially reduce stress. It also touches upon areas where volunteerism is particularly needed in Germany.

Key takeaways

• Many students engage in volunteer work during their studies, with activities ranging from leading children's groups and assisting international students to helping in refugee camps, animal parks, and environmental reforestation efforts.
• Motivations for volunteering include giving back to the community, sharing enthusiasm, finding personal fulfillment, and filling time meaningfully. Some students stumble into volunteer roles, while others feel a strong internal drive.
• Volunteer work can provide a valuable escape from academic stress, offering a different environment and social circle, which can lead to increased happiness and a sense of purpose.
• Important areas for volunteerism in Germany include youth programs, support for young people with disabilities, care for the elderly, assistance for refugees, and health-related initiatives like blood and bone marrow donation.
• The video also briefly touches on the "No Shave November" trend as a form of awareness-raising, though its deeper meaning wasn't initially clear to all participants.

Here are the answers to your questions, based on the transcript:

1. In welchen Bereichen sind/waren die Befragten ehrenamtlich tätig?

• Anne (initially speaking, not a student being interviewed): Went to Uni Hamburg campus to ask students.
• Student 1 (Speaks first): Led a children's climbing group; Referat für internationale Studierende (Department for International Students) at the university.
• Student 2: No experience yet.
• Student 3: Kinder und Jugend Sorgenentelefon ("Nummer gegen Kummer"); Reforestation in Costa Rica (primary/secondary forest).
• Student 4: Evangelische Kirche Farmsen Berne (youth work, specifically with hearing and non-hearing youth); Youth football coach; Tafel (food bank); FSJ abroad in a kindergarten.
• Student 5: Motivated by internal need, had a good confirmation time with good youth leaders, was then "poached" for volunteer work.

2. Welche Motivation haben die Studierenden?

• Giving back to the world.
• Helping people who need help (especially refugees).
• Passing on enthusiasm.
• Seeing that children enjoy it.
• Doing something meaningful to fill time.
• Wanting to do something in that area for a long time.
• Belief that paid work in these areas is difficult to impossible.
• Feeling an internal need.
• Positive experience with confirmation leaders inspired them.

3. Inwiefern kann Ehrenamt gegen Stress helfen?

• Can be a good balance to studies.
• Provides a different world, an escape from daily life.
• Being with different friends/people.
• Doing something meaningful can reduce self-reproach about not using time well.
• Seeing children's "sparkle" is priceless and reduces stress.
• Feeling happier.
• Distraction from daily stress by engaging in a different activity.

4. In welchen Bereichen ist Ehrenamt wichtig?

• Youth sector.
• Area of young people with disabilities (inclusion).
• Care sector and for older people.
• Refugee situation.
• Health situations (blood donation, bone marrow donation).
• Recognizing that one might need such help in the future.
• Awareness campaigns (e.g., No Shave November mentioned as similar concept for awareness).