"Change comes from the willingness to show up for others" - Interview with Mohammad Arafat Intisher

What was your experience like when you first joined Viadrina?
When I first arrived at European University Viadrina, I came in as a student focused on learning, achieving academic success, and building my future career. What I didn’t expect was how deeply university life would shape my personal growth beyond the classroom.
Very quickly, I realized that a university is not just an academic institution,it is a community built by many people, experiences, and responsibilities working together.

You took on a very impactful role as Anti-Racism Representative in the General Students’ Committee (AStA). What motivated you to take it on?
I joined the role of Anti-Racism Representative within AStA, the university’s main student representative body, because I felt a responsibility to contribute beyond my studies.
The role meant being present in difficult conversations, supporting students who had experienced discrimination, and advocating for a campus culture grounded in dignity and inclusion. There were certainly moments of doubt ,moments when I questioned whether one person could truly make a difference. But over time, I learned that impact is not always immediate or visible. Consistency matters. Showing up, listening, and standing firm in those spaces gradually creates change, even if it starts quietly.

What kind of work did you do in that role?
I organized awareness campaigns, workshops, and community events focused on inclusion and anti-discrimination. I collaborated with student groups as well as external organizations to strengthen dialogue and engagement.
More importantly, I worked to ensure that students who felt unseen or unheard always had someone to turn to.
Each interaction and initiative helped me grow ,not just professionally, but personally. It built empathy, resilience, and a stronger sense of responsibility toward the communities I am part of.

How did this experience influence your professional development?
My involvement in student governance and community initiatives strengthened many skills I now rely on in my professional life: communication across diverse perspectives, leadership under pressure, and the ability to bring people together around shared goals.
These are not just academic or organizational skills; they are essential in today’s fast-changing world, especially with the rapid rise of technologies like artificial intelligence and automation, where adaptability and human-centered thinking matter more than ever.
Whether in a university environment or a corporate setting, these experiences taught me how to navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.

Are there people whom, looking back, you particularly appreciate?
I would like to acknowledge the non-academic community of the university ,administrative staff, maintenance teams, technicians, security personnel, and many others. Their work forms the foundation that allows students and faculty to thrive.
While their contributions may not always be visible in academic spaces, their impact is deeply felt in the everyday functioning and wellbeing of the university environment. They are an essential part of what makes learning and growth possible.

How do you reflect on your journey from university to your professional life overall?
Looking back, I don’t see my journey as just moving from student to professional. I see it as a transformation ,from a learner, to an advocate, and now to a working professional.
What I value most is not only the roles I held, but the mindset I developed: to lead with purpose, stay consistent, and contribute meaningfully wherever I am. The journey has taught me that meaningful change doesn’t always come from big actions ,it comes from consistency, responsibility, and the willingness to show up for others. And that is something I continue to carry forward into my professional life today.