Buddy Program
In cooperation with the International Office we organize the Buddy Program. Each semester regular students of the WWU can sign up to be a buddy of an exchange student. The buddy is the first contact person for the exchange student even before the semester starts in order to help with any questions that might come up for example about finding a flat, the university life, how to get a bike and other stuff.
This is especially helpful for the exchange students since they often don’t have a specific person to talk to or don’t know whom to ask. The Buddy Program contributes to the integration of international students in Münster and connects them with German students in order to create a network of support and friendship!
Welcome Week
The Welcome Week takes place about 2-3 weeks before the start of lectures. Together with the International Office we introduce the exchange students to Münster and the university and help them with their first steps, i.e. finding a place to live in case someone is still searching for a flat. This week is filled with lots of events so that everyone can make new contacts really quickly and immediately feel at home.
Among the first events is the Welcome Stammtisch as well as a dinner together at the Aasee-Mensa, one of the largest canteens in Münster. One of the main events of the Welcome Week and in fact, the whole semester, is the Buddies’ Night. Exchange students can meet their German buddies as well as their buddy group for the first time and get a first starting point on building up connections with other (exchange) students.
Another event is the Guided City Tour. Our teamers serve as tour guides and lead the exchange students through the city in order to show them the historic sights and other must-sees of Münster. The Fun Rallye is one of the highlights of the Welcome Week. In small groups the exchange students get to discover Münster on their own. Along the way they play some fun games with our teamers, answer some questions and collect points. At the end of the day the groups with most points will receive prizes and in the evening we continue with a great Welcome Party in one of the main clubs in Münster.
The Welcome Week ends in a relaxed atmosphere when we meet with the students in a café in order to look back at their first week in Münster and look forward to an exciting semester!