Why Should Australians Volunteer With Refugees in Germany?

By The Excellence Center In Europe / In Internship in Germany

Life is about connections and purpose. We all know what it feels like when we feel like we connect well with someone or feel a part of a community. This is a feeling of belonging. Belonging to something bigger than just our own thoughts, wants and needs. When you are a part of a community your interests often align with its cause, its purpose. The interests of the Australian community are beautifully diverse due to the strong elements of multiculturalism. As such, cross-cultural engagement should be seen as vital in understanding the core purpose of Australian society.

Unfortunately, many people come from countries facing regional conflicts and rampant social issues. These souls encounter experiences where their community, and therefore their purpose, is both physically and mentally weakened. In the physical sense, people are forced to leave their hometown and friends to seek out safety for their family. This displacement not only shifts them literally but also, they are separated from their neighborhood, their town, their community. Following this, the process of seeking refuge in a new safe haven begins.

The Blessing of Permanent Refuge

Many people from ‘Western’ countries, such as Australia, will never have to experience the act of seeking refuge. As a result of their permanent and safe refuge, they are not exposed or aware of what this entails.

Separated from these realities, these lucky countries do not feel the need to respond to the root of the issue as they are not directly affected. It is true: every-day civilians are often unable to make any change to the root of the issue as they are dominated by the demands of high politics. However, there are opportunities to help lighten the effects and symptoms of such issues.

Small Acts, Large Impacts

Take the Syrian refugee crisis as an exemplary opportunity. Since the beginning of the Syrian Civil War, many of the war-torn country’s inhabitants have been forced to leave their home, their community, and their purpose behind. Due to the forward-thinking policy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, many Syrians were given the opportunity to settle in Germany – over 1 million.

With such a large number of new souls entering into a country unknown to them, comes a need for integration. For decades Australia has integrated a multitude of cultures, and to a significant degree, has succeeded in the harmonizing of its people. Ultimately, integration results from connection, which will present jobs opportunities and in turn, a newly developed purpose.

Due to a significant number of refugees, widespread support is necessary. Such help comes in multiple forms, volunteering being one of them. Volunteering with Syrian refugees presents a fantastic avenue for those interested in gaining practical experience in the NGO sector and making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

For example, the Excellence Center in Europe, based out of Germany, focuses on communication as a means of integration and connection. Volunteers have the opportunity to teach English to settled refugees in Halle, Germany. English is currently the most universally spoken language and is, therefore, a benefit in obtaining a job. Volunteers also experience an element of immersion, gaining an insight into the refugee community. The resulting friendships result in memories that will shape both the volunteer and the refugee’s view on the world.

With Optimism Comes Progress

One day, the Syrian people will be able to return to their beautiful home country with a new perception towards the world, a perception developed by the experience they had during their time in Germany. A perception that is shaped around the idea that there are people around the world who are willing to help them, presenting the world as one big community, with one purpose.

This view fosters ideas of stronger international relations and in turn, a more peaceful world. From personal experience, the volunteering opportunity in Germany offered by the Excellence Center in Europe is exceptional in providing an insight into the life of a Syrian refugee living in their new community in Germany.

There is certainly a sense of reward as one sees the refugees grasped concepts of English language resulting from your teaching efforts. Those people who have an interest in seeing a harmonious world, they should come to help these communities to reignite their purpose and watch how bright the world can shine. We hoped that we gave good reasons Why Should Australians Volunteer With Refugees in Germany. This article was written by Lachlan King (Australia) who is volunteering at the Center