Volunteers wanted!
Foreigner Guides Foreigner (UVU) is an organisation staffed by volunteers from non-Danish backgrounds who help people to choose the right programme of education. The organisation works alongside the standard student counsellor system.
One of the volunteers is Mina Raghestani from Afghanistan, a student of economics. She spotted UVU on Facebook and knew immediately that she wanted to get involved. She herself needed the kind of guidance that UVU provides when she had to choose between two degree programmes.
“My brother studies economics and was able to tell me about the course, but I could have done with the same kind of insight into the business administration programme to help me compare the two programmes with each other,” she says.
Initially she made the wrong choice – but switched to economics after the first semester.
Many different questions
The organisation receives inquiries by email, and the questions range from technical questions about the way programmes are conducted to what it’s like for a girl with Mina’s cultural background to be a student.
“I’m an example proving that young Muslim women can complete a course of further education before starting a family – something which is frowned upon by some people in my culture.”
Denmark is a land of opportunity
“Denmark has many opportunities for education which we don’t have in Afghanistan. And non-Danes can benefit from this. I’d like to get a good job and pay Denmark back once I complete my degree.”
Mina thinks that anyone with the time and energy to spare should join the UVU.
“I’m always delighted when I can make a difference and help someone find the right track.”
UVU is looking for volunteers from AU
You must be a current university student or recent graduate, and you must come from a non-Danish ethnic background. You can read more at www.uvu.dk, where you will also find an application form.
Translated by Nicholas Wrigley