Buddy Program for students already at FAU

What is the Buddy Program?

If you think back to the start of your own studies, you will quickly remember one or two difficulties. Be it difficulties finding the correct lecture hall, problems filling out certain forms or the odd simple question about studying.

What is already not easy for German students quickly becomes a major challenge for international students. Not only are they new to FAU, but they also find themselves in an unfamiliar country where they will have to successfully manage not only their studies but also their everyday life. Registering their new place of residence, opening an account, transferring their first rent, buying a bicycle and, in between, getting to know new people, the city and the region.

This is not easy, as international students often not only struggle with the language, but also encounter a new mentality and have to learn new habbits.

This is where your support is needed. As a buddy, you can support newly arrived international students and help them with your experience.

How does the Buddy Program work?

Buddies are open-minded and outgoing FAU students from the second semester onwards who volunteer to look after exchange students as well as international students from our Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs – especially during the initial period after their arrival in Germany. Two buddies from FAU are assigned two to four international students as partners.

What do I have to do as a Buddy?

Don’t worry, no one is asking you to proofread your Buddy’s essays or lab reports. You also don’t have to be on call 24 hours a day. If new students have legal or detailed questions about the content of their studies, other authorities are obliged to help. It often helps a lot if you tell the Buddy where they can turn to.

The Buddy Program is primarily about offering your buddies some orientation and support in the initial phase of their stay, helping them to get to know the city and German student life.

This can include the following, for example:

• contacting international students by email before their arrival (you should definitely do this)
  
• picking up international students at the train station when they arrive
  
• if an international student arrives in the evening, organize the key in advance
  
• Be the contact person for simple questions about the city, culture, everyday life, administration and studies
  
• organize leisure activities with the international students

What’s in it for me?

Well, as already mentioned, the buddy program is voluntary. Unfortunately, it is not possible to pay the buddies.

However, you will have the opportunity to gain interesting intercultural experience that will be useful to you later in your work with international colleagues, employees and superiors.

We will be happy to confirm your voluntary commitment with a certificate.

Are you interested?

If you would like to take part in the Buddy Program, you can register on our matching platform with your FAU e-mail address.

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