Buddy Program - Faculty of Business

Anyone who has ever moved to a new city knows the feeling of being a stranger and having to find their bearings all over again. This is, of course, especially true when moving to another country with an unfamiliar language and culture.

To help our exchange students (incomings) settle into life in Germany and at Heilbronn University, we bring them together with a local student - the "Buddies".

Buddies are reliable points of contact who support incoming students with both academic and personal matters, helping international students integrate into campus life.

As a buddy ...

• you’ll expand your intercultural skills
• you can improve your English skills or learn a new language
• you can make new friends
• under certain conditions, you’ll receive a certificate recognizing your volunteer work.

Participation in the Buddy Program is voluntary and therefore unpaid. However, we’d be happy to issue you a certificate recognizing your volunteer work at the faculty if you send us photos of you and your buddy together during various activities, along with the completed feedback form at the end of the semester, as proof of your participation.

As a buddy, you should...

• be open to other cultures and enjoy communicating in a foreign language
• welcome your incoming buddy, integrate them into student life, and thus make it easier for them to settle into life in Heilbronn
• be a reliable point of contact for your incoming buddy and support them with any questions or problems
• be willing to participate in joint events with the incoming students and support them (e.g., welcome get-together, course schedule planning, exam registration, and farewell BBQ, etc.)