Note: The following texts are based on interviews with the candidates and have been summarized for readability. The level of detail varies depending on how much each candidate chose to elaborate. Every candidate was contacted for an interview and allowed us to publish their corresponding text. 

Estrid Kaarme

Why are you running for INTU President?

“I have a big vision for INTU. I would like to see INTU become even more open and even more collaborative with other committees, and a place for all students interested in internationalisation. I think my experience from many projects and committees in SASSE makes me understand the organisation very well.” 

What would your year as INTU President look like?

“First of all, I would like to see us uphold the traditions and projects that INTU is already working with. But at the same time, I would like to strengthen the core of INTU, as I see that many smaller projects risk spreading INTU too thin. I still believe it’s really good that INTU has so many interesting smaller projects that attract lots of different students.

I think INTU should be a welcoming place for everyone, striving for inclusion and openness towards all students. I also mention in my election promises that I want INTU to be more visible from the beginning. And when members get engaged, they should be able to feel part of the INTU community.”

 What previous experience in and outside of SASSE would help you in this role?

“I have a lot of SASSE experience from a broad range of committees and projects. I have been in INTU since day one: I was an INTU festis. I am currently a class rep for second-year BE. I am a CIVICA and Student Ambassador. I was part of an HD project group and a WFD host. I am also currently a cheerleading coach, and I have been a Funkis.

Outside of SASSE, I have been very engaged in a non-profit called AFS Intercultural Programs, which works with international collaboration. I have been volunteering by helping incoming international students in Sweden, which I believe will definitely help me as INTU President.”

Kiran Bretschneider

Why are you running for INTU president?

“I think that what INTU is now and what it has the potential to be are two very different things. There are certain things that I think the president, unlike the board, has the power to change INTU to be more seriously taken as a committee. In a sense, I want INTU to be a place that’s more “authentic”; I want to make sure that people get to experience different international events or traditions in a way that does them justice. Take Thanksgiving, for example, I had a lovely Thanksgiving with my family this weekend, and I want to make it so that every student can experience that same tradition.” 

What would your year as INTU President look like?

“Of course, being practical, there are a lot of things I would have to learn and settle into. After that, there are a bunch of events I would get to planning, but I would also want to work on restructuring INTU: one of my election promises is to give the Nations Leaders a bigger role within INTU, and there I am inspired by my mom’s experience at university in Minnesota. There, the Nation's Leaders had a way bigger role; they would be responsible for organising big events, such as Chinese New Year’s, Diwali, and Thanksgiving, which I think really helped make sure that those events were a really good representation of the traditions they took part in.” 

What previous experience in and outside of SASSE would help you in this role?

“I think the most important experience you can have as INTU President is being an   international student; I was born in a place where hundreds of cultures met, I grew up with friends from so many other places than just America or Germany. I think these experiences give you a kind of unique empathy for people, you get an understanding for the struggle of moving to a new place and not having your family there, of not speaking the language and of not being settled. I have also spent half a year as a cheer coach and I think that has made me a very relational person; I really like to just talk and joke around and try to keep a good vibe and a smile even when things are really stressful.”

Lilli Von Berg

Why are you running for INTU President?

“INTU was my first engagement in SASSE. I applied to a bunch of things, but INTU felt like a good, safe space for me and became my way into SASSE, and I really appreciate that about it. I think a lot of internationals and exchange students feel the same way, but I also know that’s not the case for everybody. I want to make it more accessible to students, and I think my personal history with INTU and other SASSE projects will help with that.”

What would your year as INTU President look like?

“The main purpose of INTU is the integration of international students and the internationalisation of SASSE, and I think that consists of three parts.

First, to be the first ‘touchpoint’ in SASSE for international students and make them feel welcome. Second, to make people in smaller roles feel like they are truly part of INTU, which I think has been lacking a bit over the past year. Third, to help students who feel connected to INTU engage in other SASSE projects, through stronger inter-committee collaboration, so that belonging in INTU also means belonging in SASSE as a whole.

My other main focus is the career side of INTU. The Alumni Mentorship Program with UU is a great initiative, but I want to make it more accessible by reaching out to more alumni, especially INTU alumni who work internationally. I also want to strengthen collaboration with international universities, external sponsors, and internationally operating institutions, such as those offering trainee or internship programs, to help students explore international career paths. There are funds that are willing to sponsor cultural exchange between, for example, Europe and Asia, and I really want to explore that.”

What previous experience in and outside of SASSE would help you in this role?

“Clearly, that I am an international student. And it’s not my first time being an international student. I moved to New Zealand to play field hockey when I was 15, so I know how people who come from far away feel. 

Within SASSE, my engagement in INTU as a nation leader for the German society, and as a project coordinator on the INTU board, has given me a deep understanding of how INTU works. I know INTU inside out: what works well and what needs to be improved. I am also currently on the Entrepreneurship Society board as Head of Finance, which will help me with my plans for finding external funding for INTU projects.”