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Join In and Meet People From All Around the World - The Student Buddy Program of Technische Universität Chemnitz
by Anne Klante
There are many nationalities found on campus, which come together, offer a range of different languages and, simultaneously, demonstrate the diversity of the student body at Chemnitz University of Technology. Chemnitz University of Technology is home to a diversity of students from numerous nationalities, and those want to be and are welcomed in Chemnitz. The International Office provides assistance for incoming international students as well as it maintains and extends the cooperation between the Chemnitz University of Technology and international universities by widening and deepening the international network. You need committed persons, who join in and are keeping the effort and project alive. You usually find those people among the body of students. The student buddy program is an initiative of TU Chemnitz students, run by student assistants, for incoming international students. At present Katja Förster, Sviatlana Karatkova and Malena Triphaus . Horizon exclusively interviewed Katja about the student buddy program, their duties and how to match student buddies and internationals.
When was the idea of the buddy program realized? Who were the initiators?
Our statistics go back to 2007, but I guess since the first international student came to Chemnitz, there has been something like a student buddy program. However, the real founding date is not known at least to me. I think it might be connected to the founding of the international office. Yet, I don´t know the founding date of that institution, as well.
What do you consider the most important task/ duty of the buddy program?
The student buddy program connects international and TU-experienced students with each other. Our volunteers- or so called- buddies support the newcomers during their first weeks in Chemnitz. Moreover, we organize events, trips and an orientation
week to integrate international students and
familiarize everyone with other (exchange) students in Chemnitz and Saxony.
Do you have a “To-Do-List” that needs to be worked through the semester? What are the key events?
We plan our events in the beginning of each year. We try to have at least two events each month. The most important event, however, is the orientation week. During that week we give useful presentations, walk around the city and campus and celebrate the upcoming semester with the famous International Welcome Dinner. We will visit Meißen, Erfurt and Leipzig this year.
For all events you have the same “To-Do-List”. First of all, we make an application for the money, we need for the event. Secondly, we send out e-mails to the students about
Picture: International and German Buddies at Bowling. Anne Klante