The band's origins lie in a very special moment: during a party, Alejandro Estevez Espitia spontaneously played his guitar, accompanied by the vocals of his fellow student Remy Numbi Wa Monga. Shortly afterwards, Zhiyao Zhang joined them – and the musical connection was born.
Alejandro, who comes from Colombia, is studying general engineering at TH OWL. He has been playing the guitar since he was eight years old – first at school, then later at concerts. At the age of 13, he spent three months in Germany as part of an exchange program – and this stay left him with a desire to return one day. “I really like Germany. I felt safe and free here – children play outside without worries or barriers. That had a big impact on me,” says Alejandro.
Today, he is aiming to specialize in the field of life sciences. He particularly appreciates the fact that the program is offered in English and that he has the opportunity to learn German at the same time. The 19-year-old applied to the DAAD for a STIBET-1 scholarship—and was successful. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) awards STIBET-1 scholarships to international students to promote their commitment and integration into everyday university life. The scholarship enabled Alejandro to achieve his goal and equip the band with new instruments. “Now I can promote our music project at the university, organize our rehearsals better, and also perform at events,” he says proudly..
Remy Numbi Wa Monga is also studying general engineering at TH OWL in Lemgo and would like to specialize in digital production engineering later on. He comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country rich in natural resources such as copper, cobalt, and gold. “There are many international companies that use these resources. I want to benefit from Germany's extensive expertise in engineering,” explains Remy. He finds the Lippe region particularly pleasant and welcoming.
The 21-year-old has already studied electrical engineering in Congo for four years and is particularly interested in German engineering and Germany's pioneering role in sustainability.
The band members are not only connected through music, but also find a way to integrate themselves into the university community through their activities. They stand for open, intercultural exchange—regardless of origin, language, or field of study. The faculty at TH OWL supports them in every way possible.
This is also confirmed by Zhiyao Zhang, a master's student in information technology at TH OWL. She comes from Shanghai and already has a bachelor's degree in software development. She plays drums in the band – she had previously learned classical flute in China. "When I came here, everything was new to me. I was looking to make friends and wanted an active social life. Then I met Remy and Alejandro at a party. We danced, got talking – and soon it was clear: we were going to start a band!" says Zhiyao.
Zhiyao came to Germany through a fellowship program offered by TH OWL in cooperation with its partner company Phoenix Contact. The company covers her semester fees and living expenses as part of a scholarship package. After graduating, Zhiyao will start a three-year contract with Phoenix Contact.
“This is a great opportunity—I can finish my master's degree, gain work experience, and be independent. Above all, I no longer have to ask my parents for support. My self-confidence is growing noticeably here,” says the 23-year-old.
The band rehearses regularly in our student pub “Büchse ” in Lemgo, which belongs to the university. In the future, they would like to present their music at events such as the first semester day, the open house, and other university events. They play rock, pop, and modern music—but above all, they want to show how music connects people, regardless of where they come from. Their band is living proof that diversity sounds good.
