You can find out what a housing partnership can look like and what impressions students and housing providers gain from it in our experience reports & press releases!

Experience reports

Experience report from Ali
Experience report from Mthokoe
Experience report from Annika
Experience report from Abdulrahman
Experience report from Viktoria
Press releases

Experience report from Ali (December 2024)

I can highly recommend the housing partnership as part of the "Wohnen für Hilfe" project. Our housing partnership is an enriching experience for both sides, as we can learn a lot from each other and support each other.

At the beginning, it was a bit unusual to live with a stranger. These initial concerns quickly subsided and over time we got to know each other well and our trust grew. Our relationship is very good. There is a pleasant, friendly and respectful atmosphere between us. From time to time, we also spend our free time together, drinking coffee or going for walks. We often talk about our life stories and experiences. These conversations are very interesting and enriching for both of us. Especially for my family, who have foreign roots, the flat-sharing partnership is a great enrichment. We learn new things about German culture and lifestyle from our landlady almost every day. We also enjoy cooking together. Our landlady prepares delicious dishes from time to time and through her I have learnt more about German cuisine. My wife also cooks delicious Afghan food, which our landlady really appreciates.

We regularly coordinate our schedules and working hours. We plan flexibly and coordinate in such a way that the dates suit both sides. We take enough time to organise everything well. For example, we help our landlady with the shopping, in the garden or drive her from A to B or pick her up if necessary. There have been no conflicts so far.
However, if there should ever be a difference of opinion, I am confident that we will find a quick and mutual solution.

The housing partnership has not only helped me to find affordable accommodation, but also to better understand German culture. I was able to improve my language skills in everyday life and learn a lot about traditions, customs and the German way of life. The partnership has also helped me to feel less alone, as we spend a lot of time together and have built up a family relationship. It's enriching to learn from another generation and give something back at the same time.

I would definitely recommend the "Wohnen für Hilfe" project to my fellow students, especially international students or people with a migration background. It facilitates integration enormously, as it promotes language skills and supports the development of social networks. This project offers a wonderful opportunity to strengthen both and to benefit from the experiences of others.

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Experience report from Mthokoe (October 2024)

I will start with my experience with the Degen family. I am so happy and grateful that they offered me a place to live. Since I moved in here, we have never had an argument or a major disagreement. They are very kind, understanding and give me all the time in the world to learn and feel comfortable in every way. To say that they are perfect would be an understatement. I have to mention that sometimes we might not always see eye to eye because of the different cultures. But that's not a big deal. I expected this when I moved in, as they mentioned during our interview that I would be the first African to live with them or stay in their neighbourhood.

I am also very grateful for the "Wohnen für Hilfe" project. When I moved here from Osnabrück in October last year, I didn't know anyone and was stranded as I had no flat and didn't know anyone on this side of the country. I remember going to a social centre once to seek help as I had no place to sleep as all my money was used up after staying in a hotel for a few days. Unfortunately, I was turned away. That was a stressful moment, to be honest.

But I was never rejected by the "Wohnen für Hilfe" project. Although I received many rejections from other families, they were still looking for a place for me. To be honest, by the time they found me this flat with the Degen family, I had already lost all hope and given up because of the rejections I had received.

I am so grateful for the "Wohnen für Hilfe" project and also to Mrs Dommerhausen and Mrs Tabatabai. May you keep up the good work and continue changing stories of other fellow students lives. Your work is really appreciated.

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Experience report from Annika (August 2024)

Hello, my name is Annika, I'm 20 years old and I'm studying civil engineering at Koblenz University of Applied Sciences. When I received my certificate of study, the letter also contained a flyer from “Wohnen für Hilfe”. At the time, I was already eagerly looking for shared apartments and apartments. I quickly realized that neither option would necessarily have been the right one at the time, as the financial costs would have meant restrictions. I therefore decided to apply there.

Alongside my studies, I usually help out around the house from Monday to Friday and sometimes at weekends too. The nice thing about the concept is that it's not just “work”, but also a connection with the family that's hard to put into words. Eating meals together, watching movies with the children or talking about the day in the kitchen, regardless of appointments, gives you the feeling of living in a harmonious shared flat. At the beginning, I had to find out the rhythm of the family and we got to know each other. I quickly realized that a good gut feeling is often a good sign. I felt so well received right from the start. I am really grateful for the trust the family placed in me to look after the children and share the living space. I often like to explain the concept to other students and many quickly show interest in what a normal day with me looks like. It's not very different from others. Instead of helping my parents with the housework, I help the family and one evening a week I put the children to bed at night. Thanks to the flexible division of tasks, I can also do a few quick household chores between my lectures.

It's definitely worth applying and seeing who you can get to know. I definitely didn't regret it and built up a great bond with the family.

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Experience report from Abdulrahman (July 2024)

Hello everyone,
My name is Abdulrahman and half a year ago I came across the project "Wohnen für Hilfe" when I was looking for a place to live during my studies. The project idea that students offer housing providers help with household chores or care instead of paying rent convinced me. Without hesitation, I applied for the housing project.
At the beginning, I was a bit nervous about whether I would get on with Mr E. (my flatmate), but I felt very comfortable right from the first meeting. Mr E. was looking for someone to live with him in the house and be able to react immediately in an emergency. In return, he offered me my own room with my own bathroom. I was also offered shared use of the rest of the house, including the swimming pool. I am also allowed to use the car.

I see another advantage of the "Wohnen für Hilfe" housing partnership in the social integration, as I was able to make contacts through Mr E. and quickly make friends in the neighbourhood. We have now become an "extended family". It's nice to see how we support each other as a "community". I was also able to get to know Mr E's children and grandchildren, with whom I have a friendly relationship.

I've been living with Mr E. for six months now and I haven't regretted moving in at all. I am very grateful to have met so many pleasant and inspiring people through Mr E.. I am also very grateful to Mrs Dommershausen for this great opportunity to have met Mr E.. "Wohnen für Hilfe" has given me financial freedom on the one hand and valuable experiences and relationships on the other. I can recommend the housing project to other students with a clear conscience.

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Experience report from Viktoria (August 2024)

I found out about the ‘Housing for Help’ programme on the Studierendenwerk Koblenz website and decided to apply. With the help of Mrs Dommerhausen, I got to know Mrs Noll. I moved into this house in March and lived here for 5 months. These 5 months were very quiet and pleasant. I really liked my room and didn't want to change anything because it felt like home, especially my comfortable bed.

But more than the room, I would like to talk about Mrs Noll, the landlady. She is very nice and easy to talk to. I learnt a lot of interesting things from her and our afternoon teatime is one of my favourite memories of Remagen. My flatmate is also very caring and friendly. Although I had some language barriers with both Mrs Noll and my flatmate, they always tried to understand me and supported all my projects. They also helped me to improve my German, which is a big plus for me. I'm glad that I moved in here, got to know these wonderful people and felt at home in Remagen.

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