The first week at a foreign university can be a difficult and lonely time for international students ─ because of this the HAW Hamburg has devised the weBuddy scheme, pairing up all new international students with a current HAW Hamburg Hamburg student to help guide them through the difficult first few steps to becoming a student. The buddy acts as the first friend for new international students, to ensure a good start at HAW Hamburg, and can answer all questions about living and studying in Hamburg.
During the first week there are many events for new international students to get involved in. Aside from the meet & greet session to meet all other international students, there are opportunities to explore Hamburg and a Welcome Dinner. Regular events are hosted throughout the semester to ensure students make good friends.
The buddies' jobs are to help the student in the difficult start in a new country ─ the buddy will pick the student up from the airport and take them to their new home, help them to open a bank account and get health insurance, show them round the university and important buildings and help them deal with authorities and other formalities.
Through the weBuddy scheme, students can practise new languages, discover different cultures and get to know new people.
The Study Abroad Facebook page and the weBuddy Facebook group are the best way to keep up to date with all the events, ask any questions you may have and connect with other students.