What’s special in Münster for a Chinese Volunteer?

As a native Chinese, I started my summer volunteer project in Münster since 13th of June. I was selected by AIESEC Münster as an International volunteer. I will be working here for two months in Youth4Media, mainly responsible for some cultural events and contents with pictures or videos.

When I decided to spend a summer time abroad, I choose AIESEC, a global platform for young people to explore the world. It offers great opportunities for people around the world. What I did first was to choose the region. Europe is always attractive for us because of its advanced productivity and diversity cultural background. During the time I was searching projects information on the website, I found Youth4media in Münster. The project they provided was focusing on media and culture, required volunteers with journalism and public relations background. It perfectly fit my experience and interests. After application procedure and interview, here I am!

It is my second time in Germany but first time in Münster. This city surprised me with the first sight. With all the following features, I started my adventure here.

Feature1:Special Weather

I come from Zhuhai, a city of southern China in Guangdong Province. In most part of China, the temperature will reach 30 Celsius degrees in summer and below 0 in the winter. In my city, it can reach 35 degrees in summer. So when I arrived in Münster, the comfortable temperature which is around 25 degrees really makes me refreshed. When I asked about the rain, my friends told me that it can start to rain at any moment, and it did. However, the rain was not very heavy which provided fresh air for the whole city. The rain in my city is never friendly. It is like a downpour all in a sudden and umbrellas never work.

Feature2:Transportation

Chinese people seldom use bikes nowadays. Most bicycle riders are students. People prefer motorcycles, motor vans and cars, especially cars. So the traffic jam in a big city can last the whole day. I have lived in Beijing for two months, and the cars nearly moved in five minutes in the fifth ring road at ten pm.

However, in Münster, people ride bicycle regardless of their age and profession. There are roads specially designed for bicycles, and bicycle parking places are everywhere.

Feature3:Cute Size of Houses

When I arrived in the city, I kept asking about where the downtown or uptown is because the size of the houses seems the same. And I sighed that only rich people can afford to live in these houses in China.

The houses in Chinese cities are much larger and taller. People in the city usually live in apartments in the building with more than 15 stories. Cities are more crowded and roads are narrower with viaducts.

Here it is really like a town in fairy tales and elves happily lived here.

It is a start point of my journey in Germany and Münster. Differences are always interesting. I can not wait to discover more about the city views, food, festivals and people here, also, to experience how local people live life in Münster.

 Jenny Shi

Suggestions