When Simon Schreiner was 13 years old, he became seriously ill. The children's cancer charity in his hometown of Cham helped him and his family to get through the difficult times. Now, in addition to his statistics studies at LMU, the 21-year-old himself is involved in the association to thank them for their support and to help other affected people. The Deutschlandstipendium rewards how he fought to get to university despite his illness and how he is committed to society.
LMU statistics student Simon Schreiner has been volunteering in his hometown at the children's cancer charity in Cham since 2020 alongside his studies. This is a small association that supports families of children and young people with cancer financially and as part of a self-help group. "Affected parents are often unable to work in such cases," explains the 21-year-old. If only because they have to drive their children to treatment two to three times a week. Of course, the financial injections from the association do not come close to covering the expenses. As part of the association, Simon therefore tries to provide additional mental relief for the parents.
The association regularly organizes the self-help groups. These do not involve sitting in a circle and discussing problems. Instead, they play, do crafts and - if possible - fulfill the children's heart's desire. "The parents can also talk to each other and spend time together," explains Simon. The aim is to give the children something else to think about and to relieve the parents. "Because the period of suffering is a huge challenge for the whole family until they recover."
His commitment is no coincidence. Eight years ago, Simon himself was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, the children's cancer charity in Cham supported him and his parents to get through the time mentally and bridge the gap until he was cured. The 21-year-old therefore wants to give something back with his commitment. "The older children can also learn a lot from an adult who has been through it himself," he explains. His young age also means he has a good bond with them. "And of course it feels good when you can help a little."
The fact that Simon is studying at LMU today was anything but a given due to his illness. In the 8th grade he couldn't go to school at all because of his cancer treatment. When he was a little better, a teacher for German, math, French and Latin came to him. But he wasn't taught any of the minor subjects. He started the 9th grade with a probationary period, which luckily he just about passed. But then ambition took hold of him because he wanted to go to university - the first in the family. And his grades got better and better from the 11th grade at the latest.
Simon is now studying statistics and data science at LMU. To put it simply, this is about being able to make predictions using data and to record uncertainties in data in key performance indicators. Since he started his studies, he has been constantly asked why something like this is needed. But since the advent of artificial intelligence and especially ChatGPT, understanding has grown. The 21-year-old then explains that such a program could not be programmed without statistics. Data analysis is also a huge topic in business.
Since Simon regularly does internships during the semester break, he unfortunately had to cut back on his work with the volunteer fire department in Cham. But he also keeps finding opportunities to get involved in Munich. For example, with the social service provider Condrobs, which was looking for German teachers to provide intercultural homework support for young refugees. "This brought me into contact with many young people from many different countries," reports Simon happily. However, their life stories were often less pleasant.
The Deutschlandstipendium helps Simon to continue to look after the children with cancer in Cham alongside his studies. Because he wants to be independent of his parents and would otherwise have to look for a part-time job again. He is still somewhat limited by the bone damage to his legs. But he doesn't want to rest on his scholarship, and would rather earn extra money through student jobs. But now he has to finish his bachelor's degree first, followed by his master's. Unless he moves to Mexico one day, he promises, he will continue to travel to Cham regularly.
LMU Diversity Management
Diversity Management Coordinator, Germany Scholarship Program Coordinator