“For me, the International Buddy Programme is a place for all students. Everyone is welcome,” says student Aleyna Özdek. She helped organize the programme for 189 students and prospective students at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen ( THM ), which brings together new arrivals from all over the world with experienced students and employees every semester.
The International Buddy Programme (IBP) combines integration and support measures and thus promotes intercultural cooperation at the university. “We form heterogeneous teams between the newcomers and our so-called oldies. Together they attend events and workshops that we offer throughout the semester. This creates spaces for intercultural encounters,” explains Lawen Oweissi, who coordinates the IBP and is supported by four student assistants. One of them is Aleyna Özdek, who studies biotechnology and biopharmaceutical technology in the Life Science Engineering department.
She particularly remembers one event in the summer semester: “We went pedal boating together on the Lahn in Gießen . Even though it rained, we had a lot of fun. Instead of canceling the appointment, we said to ourselves, we'll do it now because we were so looking forward to it." Aleyna Özdek was herself a participant in the International Buddy Programme in the winter semester 2023/2024. “In the Buddy Programme, what counts is who you are and not where you come from, what language you speak or what you look like. The goal is simply to be yourself and that way you will be accepted there, no matter who,” she says enthusiastically.
The students also went to the climbing forest together, bowled, sang karaoke and got to know Frankfurt on a boat tour. “It is precisely at these events that new students can integrate into the study community and not only get to know “their” buddy better, but also many other people,” explains coordinator Lawen Oweissi. She also organizes the International Regulars' Table, open to all THM members, which takes place every first Wednesday of the month in the “Lokal International” during the semester.
The team is currently planning the IBP events for the coming winter semester 2024/2025. “Our kick-off is planned for October 18, 2024. “Then we continue with the international get-together, intercultural training, excursions, survival training in the forest, Christmas market visits, ice skating and much more,” she gives a little insight. THM students and employees are welcome to take part in the programme and events at any time.
Anyone interested can find all the important information on the website IBP.