List of Needs

What does a Buddy have to know? How should a Buddy assist international exchange students?

General

• How to stay in touch
• Communication channels: establishing Facebook groups, mailing lists, etc.

Heading General_ Before my Buddy arrives

• Take the lead: contact your student in a direct message (Facebook, Whatsapp, E-mail)
• Assist with housing (accommodation, dormitory, flat, etc..)
• Here think of: If the student cannot travel directly from the airport to your

campus, advise on hostels/ hotels near the airport.

• How to get from the airport to the campus/ accommodation: list different

possibilities (train, bus, taxi?!)

My buddy is here! TO DO

• Meet your student at the local station, assist her/him to the accommodation
• Register together: Escort them to the International Relations Office, be there

while they register;

• Show them the campus where they will have classes, show them around the city
• Join events (organised by the IRO/Uni) together

TO KNOW and TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN

• Local Transport System including tickets – monthly ticket, where to buy, is there a student discount; Transport among other cities
• Local shops and their opening hours
• Immigration Office, Residence Permit, Requesting a Visa – any bureaucratic

issues students might have to face: where they are, how to get there, opening

hours, requesting an appointment, what documents to bring, etc.

• Course registration and systems that the university uses (eg. Moodle, how it

works, how to register there)

• Student Card/Library Card – how and where to get them.
• Deals for mobile packages – internet, data, calls, etc.
• Health Care: closest doctor to the Campus/area of living; closest hospitals;

closest pharmacies and their opening hours, emergency pharmacies (open 24/7)

• Emergency Numbers (police, ambulance)
• Laundromats
• Grocery stores
• Houses of worship
• Recreation centers and sports clubs
• Community centers
• Performing arts centers
• Post offices
• etc…