International Buddy Program
The International Buddy Program helps newly arrived international students, brings them together with experienced students in Siegen and thus promotes intercultural exchange!
Support new friends Siegen and surroundings
Orientation Intercultural exchange Events
Peer-to-peer
The missing piece of the puzzle for your studies!
Like you, several hundred international students come to the University of Siegen every year to study. For you, studying in a new city, in a new country and in a new language can be very exciting and at the same time very challenging. At the same time, there are advanced students who want to support others during this initial period and gain new experiences.
Reasons for participating as...
Program schedule
For one semester, new international students in their first semester (International Buddy)* are assigned an experienced student (Local Buddy) from the higher semester (at least 3rd semester) who acts as a contact person. The Local Buddy supports and answers questions about studying and life in Siegen and Germany.
During the semester, all buddies can take part in various events where you can get to know each other and share common experiences.
*If you arrive later in the semester, you can still take part in the program in your 2nd semester under certain conditions. Please get in touch with me.
Participation is obligatory for one semester after registration.
As a Local Buddy, you can participate as often as you are enrolled at the University of Siegen. You will be assigned a new buddy each time you register.
As an International Buddy, you can be paired with a Local Buddy in your first semester. You have the opportunity to become a Local Buddy yourself as soon as you are in your 3rd semester.
Please fill out the registration form via the link provided. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the contact person.
Registration form
for local buddies (registration subject to change)
Registration form
for new international students (registration subject to change)
Registration deadline: 12.04.2026
After registering, you will receive an initial confirmation email (initially subject to change) with the next steps.
You will receive your personal buddy by email at the latest after the registration deadline and at the earliest a few weeks before the start of the semester. The aim is to match pairs as far in advance as possible, but this cannot be guaranteed and is heavily dependent on registrations from both sides.
You will receive information about the first events and, if you are a Local Buddy, the dates of the introductory event with your personal buddy email.
There are up to six events spread over the semester where you can get to know the city of Siegen and its cultural, sporting or nature-related facets through various activities. It's a great opportunity to spend time with other buddies too.
The activities are planned for you. You just sign up, show up on time at the meeting point and let yourself be surprised. Snacks and drinks are always provided.
We will do our best to match you with a suitable buddy. However, we cannot guarantee that you will get on (directly) with each other!
The program is there to gain intercultural experience and can be an opportunity for personal growth. Give each other a chance and communicate openly with each other! ☺
Program schedule for International Buddies
Here you can find out more about your participation and the program as an International Buddy!
If your question is not answered, please contact the program coordinator.
- An interest in cultures and languages
- Open-mindedness, sociability and commitment
- A desire to get to know Siegen and the surrounding area at events
You can ask your buddy for support with the following points, among others:
- Orientation help and tips in the city and on campus
- all about studying and on campus (canteen, library, etc.)
- the most important places to go, bus timetables, canteen, library etc.
- leisure and shopping facilities (sports, culture, restaurants, supermarkets, etc.)
- Recommendations from doctors
-
Comparison of offers for services (SIM card, internet, etc.) if necessary
- Pick-up from the airport (by private transportation)
- Financial support
- Accommodation in a private apartment
- Legal matters
- Dealing with authorities, e.g. immigration office
- Taking out insurance or opening a bank account
For all these questions, the International Student Affairs (ISA) department of the International Office offers advice for you as an international student or exchange student. You can find information on the most important questions on the ISA website.
The type and extent of support from your buddy depends entirely on your individual needs and especially the resources (especially time) of your buddy.
Talk to your buddy about expectations and possibilities. He/she, or preferably both of you together, will decide how much time you would like to spend together.
You decide how much time you spend with the buddy program and your personal buddy. You are free to take part in any of the events, but you have the option of determining your own time.
Program schedule for Local Buddies
Here you can find out more about your participation, your tasks as a Local Buddy and the program schedule!
If your question is not answered, please contact the program coordinator.
- An interest in cultures and languages
- Open-mindedness, sociability and commitment
- Time and motivation to support one or more international students for at least one semester
- Reliability
- Willingness to participate in the introductory event
- Initial contact before arrival if necessary (by email)
- Orientation help and tips in the city and on campus
- all about studying and on campus (canteen, library, etc.)
- on the most important places to go, bus timetables, canteen, library, etc.
- on leisure and shopping facilities (sports, culture, restaurants, supermarkets, etc.)
- Recommendations from doctors
- Comparison of offers for services (SIM card, Internet, etc.), if applicable
- Picking you up from the airport (especially not with private transportation)
- Financial support
- Accommodation in a private apartment
- Legal matters
- Dealing with authorities, e.g. immigration office
-
Taking out insurance or opening a bank account
For all these questions, the International Student Affairs department of the International Office offers advice. Refer your buddy to the contact person responsible for international students.
On the pages of the International Office you will also find a lot of information, such as financing, housing, orientation in the city and on campus, etc., which may be important for your buddy.
This depends on the individual needs of your buddy and YOUR resources.
At the beginning of the semester, the effort will most likely be greater, as most questions will arise.
Talk to your buddy about expectations and possibilities. You decide how much time you want to spend with your buddy.
As a Local Buddy, you will receive your certificate of participation if you fulfill the following four requirements:
- Participation in the introductory event (at the beginning of the semester)
- Participation in at least three events during the semester
- Writing an experience report (1 - 2 pages, end of the semester)
-
Completion of the feedback form (end of the semester)
We can only issue the certificate of participation on request if all of the above points have been fulfilled!
Please note:
You can be active as a Local Buddy several times. You only have to attend the introductory event once.
The introductory event is designed to prepare you for your time as a Buddy.
We will talk about what your tasks as a buddy are, about services offered at the university and about the planned events. You will also receive interactive intercultural training.
You can also get to know other Local Buddies and network.
What former buddies say
Jana (Local Buddy) and Joyce (International Buddy)
I learned a lot about our wonderful world and the people who live here, made new friends and spent many wonderful evenings and days together that have become unforgettable memories. (Jana - Local Buddy)
I made a friend even before I arrived in Siegen, which made all the difference. What I liked most was that an initial helping hand soon turned into a strong bond, proving that friendships can form across cultural boundaries and last a lifetime, no matter where we come from. (Joyce - International Buddy)
Robert (Local Buddy)
It was important to me to help international students settle in Siegen and to expand my intercultural skills. I also wanted to understand the challenges that international students face in a new environment.
The program showed me how different integration can look and how important it is to offer individual support. It was particularly valuable to realize that even small gestures of help can make a big difference and that intercultural communication is always a mutual learning process.
Shalini (International Buddy)
As part of this buddy program, I received valuable information from my buddy even before I arrived. She was incredibly helpful, gave me real guidance and motivated me whenever I needed it.
I would recommend this program to others as it is very helpful to have someone to guide and support you either before you arrive or directly after your arrival.
Hasnain (Local Buddy)
My motivation to participate in the International Buddy Exchange Program as a "Local Buddy" stemmed from a desire to give back to the academic community.
I gained insights into my buddy's cultural background, educational system and social norms, while my buddy became more familiar with German academic culture and everyday customs. One particularly meaningful intercultural experience was reflective conversations about cultural norms, communication styles and expectations in academic and social settings. These conversations fostered mutual understanding and encouraged us both to critically question culturally influenced behaviors and assumptions that we often overlook.
