At many of our partner universities, the International Office and a student buddy will support you at the beginning of your stay abroad, making it easier for you to settle in and assisting you with your first dealings with the authorities and on-site errands.

We would also like to make the start of your stay at the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences easier for the incoming students of our partner universities and therefore depend on your support.

We are looking for you as a student buddy for our incoming students, who come from all over the world to study with us!

The support as a buddy for our incoming students is highly relevant and interesting for two reasons:

First, you get to know someone from a different cultural background and already know what it is and can be like to start and study in a foreign country from scratch. In the best case you get valuable information about studies, country and people of the country where you can spend your stay abroad and lay the foundation for great friendships.

And secondly, participation in the Buddy Program is useful for your application for a place at one of our partner universities. Your buddy activity will be recognized as a special commitment during the selection process.

This means that buddy activity gives you a personal advantage and pays off in your application process.

Since 2021 you must agree to supporting us as Buddy together with your application INT Wing in the applicant database with mention of the preferred region.

As a buddy, you will support "your" exchange student during the first days in order to enroll at the university and, if necessary, with the necessary administrative procedures.

As a rule, the "support" lasts one to two days, during which you accompany the incoming student at the university and the surrounding area.

Depending on where the exchange student comes from, the following steps are necessary:

• Enrollment on site
• Accommodation
• Semester ticket
• Registration at the Residents' Registration Office
• Opening a bank account
• Taking out health insurance
• Application for a residence permit
• Registration of the broadcasting fee and
• if necessary, re-registration for the 2nd semester

Depending on the extent to which you help your incoming, you will receive the necessary information to be able to support via the International Office of HSM.