The international Buddy Program
…is intended as a plattform for encounters between students from all over the world and local students.
It offers a community, in which the welcome culture at the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) is lived.
The intercultural exchange takes place, partly in small buddy groups among like-minded students, partly in regular events for registered buddies with possibilities to expand one’s own social network, and also in larger public events, where extensive diversity is being celebrated.
How does the Buddy Program work?
The Buddy Program offers an intercultural exchange on an informal as well as a structured level:
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On an informal level, the Buddy Team regularly organizes various event formats for the Buddy Program participants. The offer includes excursions to regional highlights, participation in cultural, seasonal and local events, workshops on interculturality or volunteer work, international country evenings, visits to typical student pubs and restaurants as well as games and information evenings within the Buddy Program community. All activities voluntary.
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On a structured level, the Buddies are divided into fixed Buddy groups according to their priorities. The Buddy groups usually consist of one local and one or more international students. In this way, the newcomers find permanent reference persons who support them in their orientation in their new environment and help them with questions. In the buddy groups, students can individually organize their intercultural exchange.
To Know: At the end of the semester, the participants receive qualified certificates of their commitment (these can also be credited in the ZDek and ZIK certificates).
What are the objectives of the Buddy Program?
The most important goal is the intercultural peer-to-peer exchange.
International students are provided with points of contact for their own social network as well as information for orientation in their new place of study. The Buddy Program is a complementary offer to the faculty's own mentoring programs, with a focus on non-academic topics.
Experienced students are given the opportunity to deal with the situation of international students at KIT and, if applicable, with aspects of the respective countries of origin. In addition, the exchange can help to prepare an own stay abroad.
Local and international students gain valuable intercultural experience during the various activities and in helping to design the program. The Buddy Program thus promotes and strengthens the international community at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
Who can participate in the Buddy Program?
I am an experienced, local student and interested in the Buddy Program.
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You are enrolled in an advanced semester at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology ( Studienkolleg / Bachelor / Master / Teaching) and can therefore provide international students with information on questions and topics of everyday study. No special expertise is required, but rather support in everyday situations.
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You have time and desire to show international students "your world". In addition to information on your own degree program, this can include leisure activities, social commitment, local and regional knowledge and language skills.
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You would like to lead a buddy group. The group consists of you and international buddies. You decide on the size of the group (2-5 group members), which language is spoken in the group (German / English) and the selection criteria (e.g. the same degree program).
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You want to develop your intercultural skills. In the form of conversations with international students, participation in international events, workshops as well as the organization of the Buddy Program.
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You want to anchor your newly acquired intercultural competences in the curriculum. For example in the form of workshops from the HoC accompanying program. ETCs for key qualifications / for teacher training MPK can be acquired there.
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You want to get involved in social work and want to receive proof of this. At the end of each semester, qualified certificates of participation are issued. Evaluations are individually based on the extent of your commitment to the Buddy Program.
I am an international first-year student and am interested in the Buddy Program.
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You are enrolled in your first semester at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) (Bachelor / Master) and are looking for support with questions and topics of everyday study.
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You have time and interest to exchange with local and other international students. In addition to information about your studies, this includes leisure activities, social commitment or language skills.
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You want to be assigned to a buddy group. The group consists of at least one local Buddy and international Buddies. You can register your preferences regarding group size (between 2-5 group members), language (German / English) and selection criteria (e.g. same degree program)
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You want to develop your intercultural skills. In the form of discussions with international and local students, workshops, participation in international events or in the organization of the Buddy Program.
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You want to anchor your newly acquired intercultural skills in the curriculum. For example in the form of workshops from the HoC accompanying program. ETCs for key qualifications / for teacher training MPK can be acquired there.
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You want to get involved in social work and want to receive proof of this. At the end of each semester, qualified certificates of participation are issued. Evaluations are individually based on the extent of your commitment to the Buddy Program.
