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This German youth center helps refugees connect and create

Freiland Potsdam serves as a gathering place where people of different backgrounds can meet, relax and express their creativity. Here's a look inside.

Andrew Lanxon
Andrew is CNET's go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
Andrew Lanxon
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1 of 21 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Welcome to the Freiland youth culture center in Potsdam.

The center serves as a meeting place where new arrivals can find a friendly face. Attractions include a radio station and internet cafe, providing a lifeline to connect with family and friends back home.

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2 of 21 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Erich Benesch runs a pirate radio station from the center. Refugees can take turns as DJ and host their own radio shows.

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3 of 21 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

They don't look like much yet, but these buses will eventually become rolling information centers.

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There's still plenty to be done before the buses can run again.

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Benesch hopes to install radio equipment so he can take his show on the road.

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The Freiland center invites local graffiti artists to jazz up the walls of the buildings. The murals are replaced every six months.

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Here's another mural. We can all sympathize with a frustrated gamer.

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This small building houses the free internet cafe, where refugees can reach out to friends, search for places to live or work, and get broken devices fixed.

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This sculpture has become a Pokemon Go stop.

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Even trash bins get the Freiland touch.

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The center features a wide range of buildings people can use to work, create, or in the case of this little cabin, just hang out.

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Benesch is converting this bike into a mobile radio station.

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Parties are regularly held in this cafe.

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More artistic expression.

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A small cat lurks.

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Kitted out with a solar panel, the RV doesn't have a permanent use just yet.

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Reporter Katie Collins talks to Benesch and his wife, Iris Manner, a social worker with World Vision.

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A call for volunteers posted in the window of the internet cafe.

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Not quite sure what this means, but it's definitely eye-catching.

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Part of the Berlin Wall has been moved to Potsdam and given a new look.

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Visitors can relax inside this stripped down RV.

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