A DMU student had such an inspirational time during a #DMUglobal trip to Berlin last summer that it changed her long-term life plans so that she can help refugees.
Amber Leach, front left, with other students and DMU Vice Chancellor Dominic Shellard in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Amber Leach, a Law graduate who is doing a Master’s in International Relations, is now urging other students to sign up for the next #DMUglobal trip to Berlin in June.
“It changed my life forever and inspired me to do more to help people,” she said.
“DMU have helped me see a wider picture and help me decide what I want to do. It has inspired me to go to Peru next month in connection with my studies.
“I would 100 per cent recommend anyone and everyone to visit Berlin with the university.”
The deadline for applying for a place on the next #DMUglobal trip to Berlin is 9am on Monday.
It is hoped a record 1,500 students from a wide range of courses will go on the four-day Berlin trip.
They will be staying in accommodation in the heart of the German capital and will take part in a range of academic activities linked to their chosen trip theme, as well as having time to experience the culture of Berlin.
In addition to the academic activities, students will participate in a #LoveInternational event, followed by a group photo in front of the Brandenburg Gate and a ‘peace picnic’ on the lawn in front of the Reichstag (German Parliament building).
Last summer, Amber joined a #DMUglobal trip to the city run by the DMU Square Mile team to work with and help a refugee community, creating clothing parcels for 150 families and preparing and serving food to them at refugee café Meet ‘n’ Eat.
Before going on her eye-opening trip, Amber, was not always planning to study International Relations.
Amber added: “Before visiting Berlin I was set up do my Master’s dissertation in International Business Management. However the trip had such an influence on me I changed my studies to do International Relations so that I can do more around helping refugees and international politics.
“The best day in Berlin was the last day. We visited a refugee centre, it was packed with families and children. All the children wanted to do was to play and hold my hand. Most of them didn’t speak English, but that didn’t matter as we used face and hand gestures to communicate.
“It really opened my eyes to another world. I have been to Berlin three times before but mainly stayed in tourist destinations. #DMUglobal opened up my eyes to something different and Berlin is my favourite city to visit.
“I also developed close relationships with people on the trip, with students and tutors, we now have a WhatsApp group and keep in touch with everyone we went with.”
Posted on Friday 10 March 2017