A buddy team consists of one UW/H student and one international student. The buddy teams are put together by the International Office on the basis of various factors such as subject, interests, language skills etc. As part of their work, the UW/H students support their assigned international buddy with everyday matters and appointments, arrival and departure, planning and taking part in social and cultural events together.

As a buddy, you will have the opportunity to get to know international students and other cultures and improve your language skills. At the same time, you can introduce other students to your own culture and student life in Witten and gain intercultural experience without leaving your home university. The programme strengthens intercultural and social skills, promotes international exchange and enables language exchange in various foreign languages. If you participate continuously, you can receive a certificate of volunteering for your commitment at the end of the semester. It is not unusual for a buddy team to develop real friendships and a great international network!

• Support of international buddies: You will supervise an exchange student from one of our partner universities who is studying at UW/H for an exchange semester OR accompany an international student who is starting a new Bachelor's or Master's programme in Witten for one semester.

• Duration: During the semester - you should be available for a whole semester and often be in Witten. In some cases, attendance is required before the start of lectures and shortly after the end of the lecture period. Please take this into account when planning and applying.

• Tasks of the UW/H Buddies: You accompany your International Buddy through everyday life and are available to answer any questions. Together you will undertake at least 6 different activities during the semester that excite you both and correspond to your interests and document them accordingly. Participation in the International Welcome Day + Buddy Brunch (in the first week of the semester) is compulsory.

For example, you can choose from:

1. reception at the airport or train station in Witten and accompaniment to your new accommodation and the campus
2. orientation on campus and introduction to using the UW/H systems
3. orientation in Witten and support with everyday matters
4. organising and planning excursions (catering)
5. participation in or organisation of cultural excursions and events
6. participating in or organising sporting events
7. practising shared hobbies or trying out new hobbies
8. participating in or organising a city trip
9. other activities (e.g. presenting something from your life)
10. joint participation in an ESN event
11. compulsory: participation in the International Welcome Day + Buddy Brunch (in the first semester week)

Participation in compulsory events and buddy diary: As proof of your participation, you document your activities during the semester in a buddy diary and submit this to the International Office at the end of the semester. You should allow approx. 2-3 hours for each activity. Furthermore, participation in the Welcome Day and the Buddy Brunch in the first week of the semester are mandatory for the proof of volunteering. You will receive further information about the Buddy Diary at the Welcome Day / Buddy Brunch. Only after successful participation and attendance at the compulsory events can you receive a certificate of your student volunteer work via the IO.

Registration and procedure:

• Application period: Applications for the Buddy Programme in the winter semester 2025/2026 are possible until 10 September2025 using the following form: Registration
• Wait for placement email: If we were able to match you to a buddy, you will receive an email with the assignment to your international buddy. If there was no suitable match, you will also receive information from us.
• Contacting your buddy: Now nothing stands in the way of getting to know each other! Get in touch with your International Buddy and off you go!
• Participation in the Welcome Day and the Buddy Brunch during Freshers' Week are mandatory for the volunteer certificate.
• If you have any questions, please contact: International Office -> international-incoming@uni-wh.de