Counselling - International Affairs - Culture (BIK)
Counselling/International/Culture department moves into new premises.
A breath of fresh air at Bismarckallee 5: this year, the Counselling – International Affairs – Culture (BIK) department moved from Wilhelmskamp to Bismarckallee 3 in the former premises of the “Zwergenstübchen”. With the change of location, the department has moved into the direct neighborhood of the main location of the Studierendenwerk Münster at Aasee.
“We look forward to working even more closely with our colleagues in the future and continuing to provide students with advice and support,” emphasizes Barbara Tepe-Wrasmann, Head of Department at the BIK.
Counsellors will be available for personal consultations at the new address at the beginning of the new year. Meanwhile, the old premises have found a new use: The campus radio station “Radio Q” will be moving in.
Impressions of our events in the video
Student Viktoria Ili talks about her voluntary work as a family tutor at the Studierendenwerk
“Children are part of our society and yet there are always places where they are not welcome because they are perceived as ‘too loud’ or ‘too wild’. I want to create a space where they are welcome.” Viktoria Ili has been working as a family tutor in the Counselling, International and Culture department for three years alongside her studies in educational science. In her voluntary work, she organizes events for student parents.
Children can simply be children
“It’s particularly important to me to offer a variety of events,” explains the 34-year-old. “Children’s yoga, reading afternoons, bracelet making or trips to the zoo – the main thing is that it’s colorful!” Together with Anna Koopmann, the coordinator for “Studying with children”, Viktoria Ili plans various activities at the beginning of each semester. Every child is welcome. As the activities are co-financed by the department, many of the events are often free of charge for families. In addition to the many smaller events that she plans throughout the semester, the children’s summer festival on Schlossplatz is particularly important to Viktoria Ili. “Children can just be children there,” explains the budding educationalist. “There’s face painting, popcorn, a bouncy castle and a band – all against the beautiful backdrop of the castle.” Together with Anna Koopmann, the AStA, the Equal Opportunities Office of the University of Applied Sciences Münster and the University of Applied Sciences Münster, they have been organizing the festival for several years. “This year, the festival had to be postponed due to a storm warning,” she explains, “but we simply held it later at our premises in Steinfurter Straße. It wasn’t as we knew it, but it was still nice to have done it and to see the people.”
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Exchange with parents
The 34-year-old particularly enjoys getting in touch with parents. “I’m very open and enjoy networking. As the mother of a four-year-old daughter, I can easily strike up conversations. When you become a mother for the first time as a student, it’s a big change and a lot of questions arise: Where can I breastfeed? Can I bring my child to lectures? How do the lecturers react? I want to support the parents and give them helpful tips.” Anna Koopmann steps in for more difficult questions – and here, too, the collaboration is excellent, as Viktoria Ili emphasizes. “The team is really great, especially because they understand me as a mother. If my child is ill, I can call in sick without having to worry that it will be viewed negatively. That takes a lot of pressure off me.” Viktoria Ili also appreciates the fact that she can always take her 4-year-old daughter with her to the events. “She now knows exactly what to do,” she laughs. “She thinks it’s cool to be everywhere and play among the other children. But of course it’s a challenge for me to manage the balancing act between running the event, networking with parents and children and being there for my daughter at the same time.”
Exchange with parents
The 34-year-old particularly enjoys getting in touch with parents. “I’m very open and enjoy networking. As the mother of a four-year-old daughter, I can easily strike up conversations. When you become a mother for the first time as a student, it’s a big change and a lot of questions arise: Where can I breastfeed? Can I bring my child to lectures? How do the lecturers react? I want to support the parents and give them helpful tips.” Anna Koopmann steps in for more difficult questions – and here, too, the collaboration is excellent, as Viktoria Ili emphasizes. “The team is really great, especially because they understand me as a mother. If my child is ill, I can call in sick without having to worry that it will be viewed negatively. That takes a lot of pressure off me.” Viktoria Ili also appreciates the fact that she can always take her 4-year-old daughter with her to the events. “She now knows exactly what to do,” she laughs. “She thinks it’s cool to be everywhere and play among the other children. But of course it’s a challenge for me to manage the balancing act between running the event, networking with parents and children and being there for my daughter at the same time.”
Financial assistance in emergencies
Free table
A free top-up of €50 on the Mensa card if the card balance is less than €10. Account statements from the last 3 months, the semester certificate and the completed free table application must be submitted.
Children's plate
Students can take their children (up to the age of 14) to bistros and canteens. They receive a child-friendly portion free of charge. This card is valid for one semester. The child’s birth certificate, the semester certificate and the completed form are required.
Emergency scholarship
In cases of particular hardship, a one-off subsidy may be granted. There is no entitlement. Further information will be discussed in a personal consultation.
Loans
Students who are not entitled to BAföG and who find themselves in an emergency through no fault of their own can apply for an interest-free loan. This request will be examined intensively on a case-by-case basis. The loan can only be offered in acute emergency situations.
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