On this Friday evening, fewer and fewer people are to be found on the Caprivi campus, and the lights of the university are gradually going out. Only in the Caprivi Lounge (CaLo for short) is there still a lot of activity. Since the afternoon we have been clearing and decorating, filling the fridges and are full of excitement about what to expect
Surprise!
When I set off shortly before eight to pick up a group of refugees from the accommodation in Landwehrstraße, the first guests are already arriving. But what awaits me when I arrive at the CaLo an hour later surpasses everything: the room is filled with curious, chatting and laughing people from different backgrounds.
Actually, it would be time for the public welcome now, but I don’t really dare to disturb the good mood with our planned program. A few words about the project are quickly said and the games we have come up with to break the ice will be shrunk to the bare minimum. They were also designed for far fewer people! 😉
Different cultures and the same dreams
Adnan helps us with the translation into Arabic (thank you!) and so you soon can’t understand your own words anymore as we exchange ideas about sports, food and big dreams.
Sam from the Campus ohne Grenzen team will kick off the music with their first self-written song and Jess and Linus will perform a small excerpt of German pop songs. Arm in arm we sway to Anna Depenbusch’s “Tim loves Tina” and everyone is there for the Lalala chorus. At the latest when Tarek plugs his cell phone into the system, it lifts everyone out of their chairs. Dancing, laughing loudly and clapping, the temperature in the CaLo is raised to what feels like 100 degrees within ten minutes.
At the end, everyone helps clean up, mobile phone numbers are exchanged and arrangements are made for the next time. The Campus without Borders team thanks everyone for this beautiful evening. We have made many new friends and hope to see you again soon.