Extracurricular
When I am not hitting the microcosmos with laser beams to understand how small molecules govern our daily life, I try to keep up with several Interests. Having experienced how the quality of life increases by the support of others, I try to participate in Volunteering Work to give back as well, which largely reduces during a Ph.D period. In this section you find an overview about these activities.
Interests
Soccer - I have been a lifelong soccer fan and played actively for more than 22 years. The team attitude, bonding through winning & losing as a group, has shaped my character & thinking in every aspect.
Intercultural activities - As a member of Internations (an activity platform that brings together international people through evening events & activities), I constantly get to know new people that make my life worth living.
Languages - German, English, French & Spanish provided barriers with unbelievable benefits hidden on the other side. Not being able to communicate in my native language (i.e. German) for several years now, has had a big & positive impact on my life and broadened my horizon substantially. I especially enjoy harvesting the benefits from studying in evening schools, when interacting with diverse people & cultures in various languages.
Nature - I love to see nature at its best and to recharge my batteries in green forests or next to a floating river. However, I also enjoy investing energy in gardening and private landscape architecture.
Volunteering Work
European Voluntary Service/Social Year in Málaga/Spain - During the dictatorship in Spain, many citizens worked in different European countries and returned to Spain later for their retirement. Facing the issue to fill out various official forms for obtaining their retirement money from abroad, I supported an international team in a non-profit organization from Sep. 03 to Aug. 04 with filing those forms. During my stay, I learned Spanish in the international language school of Málaga.
Environmental Preservation in Paderborn/Germany - From Aug. 02 to May 03, I completed a Civil Service (at that time the alternative to Military Service) in a non-profit organization whose objective was to preserve the environment of the 'Senne', a large protected landscape in Northwest Germany.
Youth work in Rietberg/Germany - Many organizations support teenagers by organizing activities for their free time. I was part of one of those organizations from Feb. 00 to Aug. 03 in which a friend & I organized indoor & outdoor activities for 10-16 year old youngsters on a weekly basis. Furthermore, together with all other group leaders, we organized summer camps for kids from 8-18 years of age once a year and large-scale activities, such as waffle taxis for the entire town.