student stay in touch with each other, we appreciate that, but it is not a must. If they become friends and stay friends we found the perfect match.
Do you have some advice for your student buddies or for those, who would like to join in the future?
I guess my only advice is to be open-minded (for both, buddies as well as internationals). Every nation is different and every person is different. The student buddy program is the best way to reduce prejudices.
What do you think is the learning outcome of the student buddy program, for Buddies and Internationals alike?
What do you think is the learning outcome of the student buddy program, for Buddies and Internationals alike?
You improve your intercultural communication skills. Moreover, it shows your social engagement. Internationals as well as buddies will practice various languages.
From your point of view: Is there a language barrier?
There used to be a barrier between the German bureaucracy and internationals but they improved and have at least one person who speaks English.
I have never heard of any barriers between buddy and student. The spoken languages are one of the deciding reasons in the matching process. The internationals speak either English or German or even both.
What is most challenging for German students and Internationals?
I think it is the culture shock of both of them. You have to understand how and why your student might react in a certain way. But as an international you also have to learn about German behavior and what you can do and what you should not do.
Could you summarize the student buddy program in view catchy words?
I would actually like to use our new phrase we came up with last semester: EveryBUDDY needs SomeBUDDY!
Picture: Murat Yavuz, Alper Arslan. Anne Klante
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