Madeleine and Bayardalai (right) owe their friendship to THM 's "International Buddy Programme". Around 70 student teams of two have been formed at the TH Mittelhessen in the current summer semester in order to put a request from the International Office of the university into practice. The THM 's "International Buddy Programme" brings "newcomers" together with "oldies". The proven duo model makes it easier for newcomers from abroad to settle in here. Students who are familiar with the campus, the city and everyday life in Germany take on the role of the dedicated contact person.

Buddy means buddy in English. Under this motto, Madeleine Koch, a 22-year-old business administration student from Gießen , and Bayardalai Sandagdorj, who comes from Sainshand in Mongolia, got in touch with each other. The 25-year-old studied business administration in her home country and is currently completing her first semester in the economics department. Although she is a newcomer to the THM , the university town is not new to her. She came to Germany in 2013 and was placed in Gießen by an au pair agency. Before starting her studies, she lived with a host family and looked after their children in the afternoons. German courses were on the morning programme.

Both want to qualify at the THM with a bachelor's degree in business administration and then go on to a master's degree. The older newcomer can benefit from the tips and scripts of her younger companion, who is more advanced in the course. Madeleine is in her sixth semester and, as a helpful oldie, likes to share her knowledge with Bayardalai. But their encounters are not just about business administration learning material, proof of achievement and campus topics. They make no secret of the fact that being a buddy is a lot of fun when they spend their free time together.

The university offers the duos an intercultural programme that includes meetings in larger groups and also excursions. The two have already had the opportunity to visit the Frankfurt Zoo and Lake Edersee in a buddy group. They were also together at the Hessentag in Hofgeismar. Both are happy to have "run into each other" through the initiative of the International Office. "I'm really excited because I've met such a great buddy," confesses Madeleine. She herself completed a study phase in Montpellier and knows how important joint activities with locals are for integration abroad.

Bayardalai cites her interest in learning progress as motivation: "It's good to do something with others, for example so that I can improve my German." But she leaves no doubt that with Madeleine she has gained more than just a study guide and language trainer: " Our friendship doesn't end when the semester is over.” This is confirmed by her Gießen friend, who regrets that she only knows Mongolia from films so far. But something can be changed about that, she adds. At the same moment, the newcomer smiles next to her, as if she's already looking forward to taking on the oldie role.