What is „Exchange Buddy Program“?


With the Exchange Buddy Program, you are assigned to an exchange student who studies in Tübingen for one or two semesters. The goal is that you help him / her to get used to settling in a new country, a new city and a new university and to be on hand as a point of contact.

The Exchange Buddy Program is intended to promote contact between international and German students and intercultural exchange at the University of Tübingen. The Buddy Program builds on the volunteer work of the students of the University of Tübingen.

Who or what is a buddy team?

A buddy team consists of one student from Tübingen and one international student. The teams are mediated by the International Office on the basis of various factors such as study subjects, interests, age, etc..

Why should I join the Exchange Buddy Program?
As a buddy, you will have the opportunity to meet international students from other cultures and languages, and you will be able to share your own culture with others. You can gain intercultural experience here in Tübingen. Not infrequently, a buddy team creates real friendships!

Since this summer semester of 2019, up to two ECTS credits can be earned if you actively participate in the Exchange Buddy Program

What are my responsibilities / duties as Exchange Buddy?
Typical “tasks” of an Exchange Buddy include:

There are things you do not have to do as a buddy. If there are serious problems, you can always refer your buddy partner to the International Office.

  • Pick up the international buddy partner at the airport / train station on arrival before the semester
  • Help checking in at the dorm
  • Support and assistance in dealing with authorities, opening a bank account etc.
  • Common leisure activities, such as going to the city, going to the cinema or similar.

The origins of the exchange buddy program goes back more than 10 years. In the beginning it was administrated by a student group, called StudIT, ,which organizing student trips and events for exchange students. And they took care of mentorship program, which was basically an exchange buddy program. StudIT didn’t have enough time to take care of it anymore. So we took it up away from StudIT and made it our own program. Then we renamed it as „Exchange Buddy Program“. That is the history of it. It has been called as Exchange Buddy Program for about 3 semesters now.

Bastian Salmen (Head of the Exchange Buddy Program)