A couple of months ago I received an email from my university that the international office is looking for students to organize social events for the International Summer School participants during the month of August. It sounded really interesting to me as I am absolutely considering working in a university’s international office someday and not only does this give me a glimpse into work there, it might also be useful for networking, not to mention it will look good on my resume.

And last but not least, it sounds like it would be incredibly fun! I would be in charge of one course of students (roughly 15 of them, ages 18+) and organize afternoon & evening activities for them about three times a week as well as doing some office work. Basically, I would be getting paid for doing sightseeing & having a good time.

Another bonus is that it is considered a merit scholarship which doesn’t only sound incredibly fancy, it also means I don’t have to leave 50%+ of my pay to the government in taxes until I do my taxes next year. Usually, when you get a second job (I already have another job), you are put into the highest tax bracket for that second job. I would get all of the money back eventually, but it’s better to get it all right away.

On the Monday after my exam I went to their office and filled out their application form. I was a little surprised at how little they actually wanted to know of me, they didn’t want a resume or anything, just a form stating my contact information, my student identification number, my majors and which languages I speak. The lady accepted my application and patiently answered all my questions (and I had many of them, as I am in the middle of exams right now and while the job itself would not interfere with it, I wanted to make sure the application process wouldn’t either).

Today I received an invitation to an interview which will take place in a little over a week. I would love to get this job, and to be completely honest, I would be very disappointed if I didn’t. If there is any job I would be well-qualified for, it is this one.

I have studied abroad in two different countries for a year each, so I know what it’s like to be a student in a foreign country. I have also been a language partner for American exchange students since 2004 (for a total of four years seeing as I was abroad for two). And for the past year and a half I have had a roommate who came from Japan at the time, not knowing any German or about the city. I always tried to help him, tell him where he can buy inexpensive groceries, on which (holi)days stores are closed, and offering to help him and answer questions if he has any.

Basically, I know what it’s like to be one, and I have experience dealing with foreign students. And not only that, I like dealing with foreign students. I loved studying abroad, even if it wasn’t always a smooth experience without bumps and bruises. Even though I have never formally organized social activities for a group, I can’t imagine that to be too hard. I reckon being able to deal with foreign students and empathizing with their possible needs (homesickness, medical emergencies, general cluelessness, etc.) is the harder part, and I consider myself an absolutely perfect candidate for doing that, because that? Is something I have done before.

I am not sure what their idea of being qualified for a job like this is. Maybe they just want to make sure they won’t be having a nut case or drug dealer taking care of the students, I have no idea. But when they ask me why I want to do this job and why I would be qualified for it, this is what I’m going to tell them. And I hope that they will see that I would be a great fit for this job.

I have not spent a summer break in Heidelberg in years, so this job (offered every summer) never was an option for me. This year, I am going to be done with exams by mid-July and will be ready (that is, rested) to take up another job to keep me busy during August by the time they get here (end of July). The summer school ends four days before I have to move out, as if it was timed perfectly to my schedule. If that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.

So, will you please cross your fingers for me?