BuddyNet

Buddy Net is an interfaculty program from Universität Hamburg that promotes contact between German and international students. International students often encounter difficulties. Anyone who has spent time studying abroad knows how hard it can be, especially at first.

Language barriers, adapting to a strange culture, and social interactions with natives frequently prove harder than expected. Opening a bank account? Registering at the registration office? Getting a library card? Finding friends? This is where buddies come in handy!

Buddy Net brings international students—even before they arrive— into contact with other students at Universität Hamburg. “Hamburg Buddies” help their exchange students navigate the initial hurdles.

Buddy Net simply sets up the one-to-one contact between students. The students handle the rest themselves. Usually first contact between the two clarifies to what extent the exchange student requires assistance and for what.

During the course of the semester, Buddy Net also holds cultural events (in German only) such as regular dinner meetings, excursions, theater and museum visits, etc. Both the international and Hamburg students can take part in these events, which are usually free of charge.