In 2015, when Lilian was eleven years old, she saw pictures of the refugee crisis on television. “I knew then that I wanted to help children.” After graduating from high school, she spent a gap year working at an elementary school in Kassel and in a refugee camp in Greece. She spent her free time doing acrobatics at a competitive level. “The high pressure and stiff competition became increasingly burdensome. It wasn’t until I started doing circus acrobatics that I rediscovered my love for this sport,” says the 21-year-old.

Her goal now is to help disadvantaged children in particular. “Children naturally enjoy exercise. They are enthusiastic and full of joy. I want everyone to feel comfortable in my lessons and no one to be excluded,” says Lilian. As a prospective elementary school teacher for physical education, German, and mathematics, she attaches particular importance to trusting in the students’ abilities, being honest, and working with students at their respective levels.

Despite some organizational obstacles, she is enjoying the new sports degree program. “Since our group is the first in this program, it is understandable that everything is not yet running smoothly. There was some overlap in the times my seminars were held and the equipment is sometimes not the most modern. However, it is nice that we students are beginning together with the instructors. We’re all new to this and are a small group, so I feel like we all know each other,” Lilian says. “More than anything, I am glad that I can study what I want – minor setbacks do not play a big role.”

Jan already has degrees in Nursing Sciences and Sociology from the University of Bremen. After a few years in nursing, he switched to IT, after which he was self-employed for a few years. “I was active as a trainer for a long time and noticed how much I enjoy it. Though my athletic pursuits were originally in track and field and handball, I switched to coaching youth athletes in cycling, in part due to my son. One thing led to another and I decided that I want to revive the Bremen cycling scene,” says Jan. “In the meantime, I became a DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund e.V. ) A-level certified trainer, and currently train four athletes in the cycling squad of the sports-focused secondary school on Ronzelenstraße on a voluntary basis. Then I wondered, why not become a sports teacher? And now I’m here,” says the 49-year-old.

Since they are a small group, the atmosphere in the degree program is quite relaxed, he says. “Yes, it’s obvious that we are in the program’s debut year – there are a few minor issues. Overall, I am extremely satisfied, and I think it’s great that the courses are so varied.” Most of the teaching material is available online, so only a few learning units have to take place in the library. His second degree subject is biology. “I discovered a love for biology unknown to me before – that came as a surprise,” he laughs. “I feel freer than ever in this degree. I am doing what I enjoy and I hope to continue promoting cycling in schools after I graduate.”

Melroy holds a degree in Global Management from Bremen City University of Applied Sciences. After a few years in sales, it was time for him to try something new. “I have always thrived on interacting with people and I enjoyed helping my younger colleagues advance in their careers,” he says. “This was often reflected in my evaluations, which led me to consider a career in teaching. I thought back to my school days and remembered two or three teachers who had a strong influence on me. They taught me values and were good role models.” The 38-year-old, who grew up in Gröpelingen, now wants to pay this forward. “I was born in Bremen and I see it as my mission to encourage youth during this crucial stage so that they are positioned to succeed in life.” Regardless of his profession, he has always focused on helping people. After graduation, he would like to work at a high school in an underprivileged area.

He is pursuing a degree in Spanish education. After the sports degree program was reinstated, he changed his second degree subject from political science to sports. “For the first time in my life, it feels like I am where I am supposed to be,” Melroy says. “This is my passion. It’s the profession I want to work in until retirement. And I’m very happy that I can pursue it in Bremen,” says Melroy. “I have a wife and two children in Bremen, plus a part-time job – but this way, I can balance it all.”