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TH Köln Buddy Program

Are you from abroad and about to enroll at TH Köln? Or are you in Cologne already and would like to add an international touch to your life? If that is you, our TH Köln Buddy Program is just what you are looking for.

Why should YOU take part in the TH Köln Buddy Program?

Reasons to become a TH Buddy

You…

will experience an intercultural and direct exchange with students from all around the globe.
can get in touch with students from our partner universities, providing you with the perfect way of preparing your own stay abroad.
will put to use your foreign languages and deepen your knowledge.
take part in events with an international character.
receive a certificate of your social and voluntary commitment.

Which advantages does the TH Köln Buddy Program hold for international students (Mentees)?

You…

will get to know students of TH Köln and benefit from their advice and support.
will receive vital information about your stay in Cologne/Gummersbach/Leverkusen even prior to your arrival.
will receive support when it comes to navigating your way around your campus and mastering every-day life at our university.
are welcome to participate in a number of diverse joint activities.

What is expected of YOU?

TH Buddies

get in touch with the international students (Mentees) directly after being matched,
accompany and support their Mentees, especially before and at the beginning of the semester,
help with the organization of studies (MultiCa, campusID, semester ticket, timetables, etc.),
undertake joint activities with their Mentees (e.g. cinema, museum, café, etc.),
accompany their Mentees for at least one semester.

Mentees

respond to contact from TH Buddies and maintain contact over the course of a semester,
take part in jointly planned activities within their Buddy group,
are present at at least one official event of the Buddy Program.

ATTENTION:

We reserve the right to remove TH Buddies and Mentees from the program if they do not actively participate.

Registration for the TH Köln Buddy Program

Please read the FAQ carefully first.

The registration period for the winter semester 2025/26 starts on July 15, 2025. Stay tuned.

What happens after you have registered?

After a successful online registration you will receive a registration confirmation on the website. If this is not the case, please contact us: buddyprogramm@th-koeln.de

We will match you with a Buddy group based on the information you provide. A Buddy group usually consists of several TH Buddies and several Mentees. When participating in the Buddy Pogram at TH Köln, we take openness and tolerance towards other cultures, genders and age groups as a given.

Please note that while we will make every effort to match you according to the location listed, if there are too few registrations for the particular location, we will find another solution.

In addition, you will be added to our e-mail distribution list, through which you will regularly receive information about upcoming events and dates.

Please note

Participating in the TH Köln Buddy Program is free of charge. The requested personal information you provide is for internal use only and will not be disclosed to third parties.

Certificate of Participation for TH Buddies

By actively participating in the TH Köln Buddy Program you will gain experience in an intercultural environment. At the end of the semester, you can receive a certificate of participation for your involvement at the university. This will improve your resume and your application documents.

Requirements for the certificate of participation

Actively participate in a Buddy group and plan activities
Mandatory participation in a TH Buddy training
Participation in an evaluation

Time of issue of the confirmation of participation

Certificates of participation are only issued on request towards the end of the semester (from the end of January or the end of June).
Exception: Should a TH Buddy need the confirmation of participation before the end of the semester in order to meet a deadline for a scholarship (e.g. Promos, HAW.International), it can be issued earlier - provided you have already met the necessary criteria.