What does a buddy do?

Support for exchange students

As a buddy, you will be matched with 2-4 exchange students before the semester starts. After you’ve been matched (a few weeks before arrival), contact should be initiated by email.

Process and activities

• Arrival in Nuremberg: Most exchange students coming in the winter semester arrive in Nuremberg in late August/early September. A few arrive later in late September/early October. Exchange students coming for the summer semester usually arrive in late February/early March. During these time periods, you should be available in Nuremberg as a buddy. It means a lot to the exchange students, if they are met at the central station, airport, or bus station
• Moving in to the halls of residence: On moving day for the halls of residence (1 Sept/1 Oct or 1 March), it is important that you are available to support your buddy (or buddies) with things like making an appointment with the caretaker and the key handover.
• Support with formalities: Exchange students need support with official affairs at the beginning and during the semester, for example, registering at the “Einwohneramt” or going to the foreigners' registration office (“Ausländerbehörde”).
• Contact: During the semester you will be a contact person when the exchange student has problems or questions.

Support for degree-seeking students from abroad

Besides exchange students, we also have students at the Ohm from abroad who are enrolled as full-time students in our programmes.

Buddies for these students are primarily a contact person within the respective Faculty. They provide support for coursework, organising studying, and preparing for exams. In winter semester, buddies provide support at the orientation event for first-year international students. 

Support at international events

As a buddy, you can also engage in the area of international events. These events take place each semester as part of the International Office’s culture and leisure programme. The team in the International Office welcomes your help with international evenings (“Länderabende”), excursions, or lectures, for example. Beyond our regular events, you can take initiative and add to the programme (e.g., an international “Stammtisch”, excursions, film evenings, ice-skating, etc.).

There is also a Buddy Meet-up before you begin, where all important information will be discussed again.

What qualities (or qualifications) does a buddy need to have?

• Openness, reliability, and interest in other cultures
• Very good German skills (native or near-native speaker) and good English skills
• Availability in Nuremberg during the main arrival phases for exchange students (late August/early September or late February/early March)
• If you are interested in supporting a full-time Ohm student from abroad, you will need good academic achievements

How can being a buddy benefit you?

Remuneration/Certificate

• There is no remuneration for being a buddy; it is a volunteer programme.
• For dedicated commitment, each buddy receives a certificate of the volunteer work they have done, which can be included on a CV.
• Experience being a buddy can also be counted towards the “Certificate of International Competence” (NIKo).
• But most importantly, you will get to know other cultures, expand your own intercultural competence, meet interesting people, and contribute actively to shaping the Ohm’s international campus.

How can you apply for the Ohm Buddy programme?

The next application phase for Ohm Buddies for summer semester 2025 is planned for December 2024. Students at the Ohm will be informed about the application period by email.

Contact

Olga Strobel
International Office, WF.208 at Wassertorstraße 8
Email: Incomingsatth-nuernbergPunktde