International Affairs

International on Campus

“Be a Buddy” Buddy Program

Become a Buddy for International Students

The “Be a Buddy” buddy program at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences brings local students together with international exchange students. Buddies support incoming students—especially at the beginning of their semester abroad—with questions about daily academic life, living in Carinthia, and finding their way around campus.

Through these personal interactions, buddies gain intercultural experience, improve their foreign language skills, and build international connections. The International Relations Office coordinates the pairing of buddies and, together with the students, organizes events and excursions.

 

Design for the “Be a buddy” T-shirt at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences in Austria

Exchange students who come to us from abroad for a semester are happy to have a point of contact, especially at the beginning. “Where’s the nearest supermarket?” “Where can I go out in the evening?” “How do I check out books from the library?” These are just a few of the many questions our incoming exchange students face when they first arrive. 

A buddy who understands the challenges and needs of everyday student life always has the answers ready – or works with the incoming students to find them. If buddies themselves want to spend a semester abroad, they receive preferential treatment when study spots are allocated at partner universities. The Buddy Program supports incoming exchange students (students who come to Carinthia for just one semester).

Do it

Through these connections, buddies immerse themselves in a new cultural world, gaining “international experience at home,” so to speak. Friendships form, you get to know each other’s countries, you become more confident in foreign languages and you’re invited by the International Relations Office to participate in social events organized in collaboration with the ÖH at CU Carinthia University (trips to Salzburg, Vienna, Innsbruck, Ljubljana, ice skating, sledding, hiking and much more). At the end of their term, Buddies also receive a Buddy Certificate from the executive director, recognizing their tireless and voluntary efforts.

Join us

Just send a quick email to international(at)cuas.at. As soon as we know which students will be here next semester, we’ll start “matching” the pairs. We’d really appreciate it if you’d be open to getting to know all incoming exchange students. However, we’ll be happy to try to accommodate your preferences. For example, if you already know which university you’d like to spend your semester abroad at, we’ll try to match you with incoming exchange students from that country. That way, you can be sure that you’ll not only have a great semester as a buddy in Carinthia, but also receive the best possible support during your time abroad.

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