Surge of volunteers to the Studenterhuset

It is mosly non-Danish, international, students that pull their weight at the student café Studenterhuset. This is according to numbers released by Stine Agerbæk, volunteer coordinator to the University Post.

Studenterhuset is the biggest student café in Copenhagen and is for students, Danish and international alike, from all the higher education institutions in Copenhagen. It is manned by volunteers, also from outside Denmark. Up until Christmas the headcount was 65-70, but now the number has edged up to 120.

“Roughy one third of these students come from the United States, and are affiliated with the DIS program, but volunteers are also coming from Guatemala, Canada, Scotland, and elsewhere, creating an increasingly varied mix of about 20 nationalities. About one third are Danish,” says Stine.

Not just bartending

Behind the increase is an extension of the opportunuities available, she explains.

Students can now get involved beyond simply working behind the bar. A new social event team, international night team, PR team, and academic event team, among others, have allowed Studenterhuset to accommodate the recent surge in volunteers.

“This has also resulted in an increase of English-language events at Studenterhuset” says Stine. For example, the monthly quiz event, and international-themed events like the recent Superbowl and Oscar nights.

Bar discounts, concerts

Studenterhuset aims to hold an equal balance of both Danish and international students within its volunteer staff.

All volunteers are put on a waiting list. International students see the Studenterhuset as a way to meet Danes.

“This is one of the reasons so many international students choose to get involved,” says Stine, who adds that volunteering gives you discounts at the bar, and free entry to all concerts.

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