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TH Köln Buddy Program

Are you coming from abroad, about to start studying at TH Köln, and have lots of questions? Or are you already studying here and motivated to support international students? If so, the TH Köln Buddy Program is the perfect fit for you.

What is the TH Köln Buddy Program?

In the TH Köln Buddy Program, we form Buddy groups consisting of senior students at TH Köln and new international students. As a TH Buddy, you help newly arrived international students find their way around Germany and TH Köln. As a Mentee, the Buddy group gives you your first social network and allows you to ask questions even before you arrive. During the semester, both sides experience intercultural and direct exchange with students from all over the world.

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

Reasons to become a TH Buddy

You…

will learn about different cultures and perspectives and broaden your own horizon.
will improve your communication, organizational, and teamwork skills - qualities that employers value.
will help new students settle in quickly and get off to a successful start at the university.

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

You…

will get to know senior students of TH Köln and benefit from their advice and support.
can ask initial questions about “living in Germany” and “studying at TH Köln” before you arrive.
will receive support in your everyday student life, guidance on campus, and assistance with bureaucratic procedures.

What is expected of You in the TH Köln Buddy Program?

TH Buddies

take part in the Kick-Off Meeting for Buddies,
get in touch with their group shortly after being matched,
accompany and support their Mentees, especially before and at the beginning of the semester,
help with general study organization (MultiCa, campusID, semester ticket, etc.),
offer joint activities for their Mentees as needed and desired (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,
actively contribute by asking questions,
take part in jointly planned activities within their Buddy group.

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.

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 a particular location, we will match across locations.

In addition, you will be added to our email 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.

Proof 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 proof of participation for your involvement at the university.

Requirements for the proof of participation

Active participation in the program
Independent coordination of the Buddy group and organization of activities
Mandatory participation in the Kick-Off Meeting for Buddies

Issuance of the proof of participation

Proofs 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.