As a buddy, you help your international student get settled and answer their questions. We appreciate your willingness to pick-up the student from the train station in Freiberg and guide them to their primary destination in town. This helps them a lot! In addition, you assist with administrative tasks at the local authorities (e.g. Registration office, opening a bank account and other formalities), introduce them to student life, and MOST IMPORTANTLY: Simply be a friendly contact.

We connect you via email. You can contact them and agree to go ahead as you wish. It’s always a good idea to briefly introduce yourself, and ask if they need any specific help at the moment.

We don’t expect to know everything, of course! If you’re unsure, direct them to the right university office or contact the Buddy Program coordinator for guidance.

Yes, if you’re willing and have time, you can support more than one international student. We recommend not more than three. Just make sure you can manage them effectively. It’s not the quantity but the quality that counts.

Yes! The AKAS organizes social events, cultural evenings, city tours, and excursions.

You can contact the mentor [at] iuz [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Buddy Program coordinator) or the international [at] tu-freiberg [dot] de (International Office) if you have any concerns or need assistance.

We understand that everyone has different schedules, but as a Buddy, we expect you to be available in person when your international student arrives. Helping them with their first steps in Freiberg, such as finding their way around is an essential part of the program. After that, you can adjust your level of support based on your availability.

If you are unable to be physically present and your student needs help with arrival, such as being picked up from the train station, please inform the mentor [at] iuz [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Buddy Program coordinator) well in advance so we can find a solution.

After you registered as a Buddy, we will approach you via email to find a suitable time spot to get to know each other. We don't always manage to meet everybody, but we are keen on getting to know the majority of volunteering Buddies.

Yes, active participants can usually receive a confirmation for their voluntary engagement. After the semester has begun, we share a special form for this purpose on various channels. 

You have overseen the message or it did not reach you? Use this form to apply for your confirmation of participation.

Matching depends on the number of international students and available buddies. We aim to complete pairings as soon as possible, and you will be notified once a match is found.

Matches are made based on several factors. While we try to create suitable pairings, specific requests are possible, but cannot always be accommodated.

While there’s no financial reward, you gain intercultural experience, expand your network, get to know new people from other places in the world, and can usually receive a confirmation of participation after your Buddy time.

Good places to show them include - for example - the university buildings, of course, the city center, supermarkets, public transport stops, and popular student spots like Terra Mineralia, EAC, Neue Mensa or bars.