Buddy System

What Is a Buddy?

Buddies are students who welcome and support international students at FH Upper Austria. This role should not be seen as "babysitting." The goal is to help incoming students have a pleasant and successful stay. In many cases, you will be the first friend they make at the university.

What Are Your Responsibilities?

• Making Contact - You take the initiative and reach out to establish contact with the incoming student.
• Helping Them Settle Into Austria - If you have spent most or all of your life in Austria, many things may seem completely normal and obvious to you. However, for someone who has just arrived from another country, everyday life can be very different. As a buddy, your role is to help newcomers adjust and avoid experiencing a major culture shock after arrival.
• Supporting During Orientation Week - Before the semester begins—in September and February—new incoming students participate in Orientation Week. During this time, they learn about the university and life in Upper Austria. Since they receive a large amount of information at once, buddies play an important role in helping and supporting them throughout this orientation phase.
• Being a Contact Person During the Semester - Of course, you are not expected to accompany incoming students every step of the way. Part of the international experience is learning to be independent and finding one's own way. However, you remain a contact person throughout the semester and can provide support when questions or problems arise.

What's in It for Me?

Apart from the rewarding feeling of helping someone make the most of their experience abroad, being a buddy also offers several personal benefits.

For every semester in which you serve as a buddy, you may earn "social points." These can be advantageous if you later apply for a semester abroad yourself, as they may improve your chances during the selection process. However, this depends on your degree program, so if you would like more information, you should contact your program director.

Another major benefit is the opportunity to build an international network of contacts and friends from all over the world. This is more than just a nice bonus—it can be extremely valuable if you later plan to study, work, or live abroad yourself.

Being a buddy is also an excellent way to improve your language skills. You will regularly communicate with international students in English, and this frequent practice can quickly boost your confidence and fluency. In some cases, you may even have the opportunity to learn your buddy's native language while helping them improve their German.

Learning languages together is not only fun but also one of the most effective ways to develop language skills.

How Do I Become a Buddy?

Each semester, the International Office sends an email to all students asking whether they are interested in becoming a buddy. Therefore, it's worth keeping an eye on your inbox. You can also take the initiative at any time and contact the International Office directly if you would like to get involved in the Buddy Program.