1. Who are we?
The fforst-house in an international association of about 30 residents who live in a reclaimed apartment block located at Forstrasse 3-4 in Frankfurt (Oder). Our house was founded in 2006 by a group of students working with the design collective Anschlaege.de and is run entirely by the residents (affectionately known as “fförster”).
We are a colorful, international mix of mostly students (but also other Frankfurters) engaged in a noble experiment. In the forefront of our project is cultural engagment and exchange and an open, creative togetherness between Germany, Poland, and other nationalities.
2. What exactly do we do?
We endeavor to enliven Frankfurt and in pursuit thereof organize events to bring students and Frankfurters together, for example:
- International evenings
- Semester kick-off and wrap-up parties
- Poetry slams
- Mother-child meet-ups
- Language classes
- Film screenings
- Concerts
- Sporting events and much more! We need your ideas!
3. What is it like to live in fforst??
We live in two apartment buildings on Forststrasse in two-, three- or four-room apartments and meet weekly every Monday at 8pm in our ground-floor common space. In addition we use our email mailing list to coordinate our activities and spontaneously get together.
4. How is the house organized?
The house is coordinated by a three-person Executive Committee consisting of a president, vice-president and treasurer. All residents belong to working groups which undertake different areas of responsibility, for example: public relations, events, and strategic planning.
5. Who are we looking for?
We are looking for young, engaged individuals who want to live in Frankfurt und actively get involved. If you are open-minded and full of energy and ideas, then you have found the right address!
6. What do you have to do to live in fforst?
To ensure a fruitful shared living experience, we want to first know more about you:
a) Get in touch with the fforst vice-president
(Agata Kirylczuk, verbuendungshausfforst@gmail.com)
b) Fill out a questionaire in which you tell us more about yourself and your interest in fforst
c) Visit the available room(s) and learn about your potential future flatmates
As rooms become available, it is important to us that the flats feature diverse and international occupants.
7. How much does it cost to live in fforst?
It depends on the size of the room and the flat. Individual rents vary from 80 to 180€. Additional costs, such as electricity, are the responsibility of each flat.
8. Who are the fforst alumni and what are they doing now?
The fforst alumni consist of previous fforst residents (including the founding members) of the house. Most have already finished their university degrees and started careers, but have not forgotten their time in fforst. Many remain involved with fforst and continue to participate in the project's development.
9. Where else can you learn about fforst?
Aside from our homepage (which you have already found!), we also have pages on Wikipedia, StudiVZ and Facebook. In addition, the odyssey of the house's founding is the focus of an award-winning documentary-style short film (viewable here: http://www.vimeo.com/11266129). Last year we also published a bilingual book about our project through Junius Books, organized as an “ABC” guide to Do-It-Yourself intercultural living and entitled verbuendungshaus fforst – eine Ermutigung / an encouragement.
10. What connections does fforst have with the university?
The university administration has long been involved with and supportive of fforst. Our applications for financial sponsorship are approved by AStA. We further maintain our connection with the university through our own party in the Stupa.
11. Who supports us?
The integration-house fforst e.V. is supported by:
- Collegium Polonicum in Slubice
- Office of Culture, Frankfurt (Oder)
- Kopierfritze
- Wohnungswirtschaft Frankfurt (Oder) GmbH, as well as
- Helicamera (www.helicamera.de).
You can join the fforst e.V. association and support us through membership dues (3€/month), or donate the amount of your choice.
12. How can you reach us?
The verbuendungshaus fforst e.V. is located at Forstrasse 4, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder) – about 5 minutes walk from the bridge to Poland to the north and the European University Viadrina to the south. Your point of contact is the Executive Committee, which can be reached at verbuendungshausfforst@gmail.com.
