International students at Goethe University can request a “buddy” – a student companion who provides support with academic as well as everyday matters. Already highly popular, demand for the program continues to grow, partly because the buddies also expand their horizons through the exchange.
Studying abroad is an adventure: Navigating life in a foreign country, finding your way at a new university and in a new faculty, possibly with limited or developing language skills, can be demanding when you don’t have friends or family nearby. Pedro Schlepper, who has been coordinating Goethe University’s Buddy Program for a year, knows this firsthand. After earning his bachelor’s degree in sociology in Frankfurt, he went to London for his master’s program: “Since they didn’t have a comparable accompanying program there, I had to figure out quite a lot on my own, which was sometimes pretty challenging.” Since 2016, Goethe University’s Studium Lehre Internationales (SLI) division has been offering international students who want to earn an academic degree here, as well as guest and exchange students, the opportunity to get off to a good start in their university studies by providing a personal guide – taking the welcoming culture to a very personal level.
Sana Aljadaan, a student of American Studies, works as an assistant in the Buddy Program. She knows from the many conversations she has had to date that international students often struggle to connect with fellow students. “That’s why they’re very interested in discussing questions about organizing their studies, as well as other aspects of life in Frankfurt, with someone who is in a similar stage in life. In our training sessions, we also emphasize to the buddies that text messages and video chats are no substitute for real-life meetings.” Pedro Schlepper is pleased that since 2022, the matching process – i.e. pairing buddies and mentees for the best fit – has been software-based. He explains the procedure: “When applying for the Buddy Program, applicants’ needs for support are assessed holistically. The main focus is on their academic interests, although hobbies and other interests are also considered. This allows us to find the best matches. And it works well; last year, we didn’t have to adjust any buddy pairings afterward.” The software-matched buddies often end up forming strong friendships, and for both guest and exchange students, mutual visits after returning to their home countries are a common outcome. “Buddies also benefit greatly from sharing their knowledge and experiences with others. Some of them may be preparing for their own stay abroad and can, for example, gain valuable language skills through their mentee. Another attractive aspect is the volunteer certificate we issue to buddies at the end of the semester. That’s a great support document when applying for a scholarship, for instance.”
Where can buddies specifically assist their mentees? According to Schlepper, the main focus is on practical support, such as help navigating the campus and Frankfurt or searching for housing. “It’s often very helpful for those looking for housing to have someone accompany them to viewings. Buddies can assist with translating during conversations with landlords. They can also provide helpful suggestions for wording when applying online for a spot in a shared apartment. However, we make it clear to our buddies that they are not responsible for ensuring their mentees find an apartment or a place in a shared flat. That would be asking too much, especially in a challenging housing market like the one in Frankfurt.” Buddies can also provide valuable assistance to new international students during visits to government offices. In training sessions, participants develop their intercultural sensitivity, learning how to explain the nuances of German administrative culture to international students to help prevent misunderstandings. The program’s overarching goal is to support international students’ academic success. Special attention is given during the matching process to ensure the buddy pairs can discuss matters specific to degree programs or specific faculties. The Buddy Program addresses questions such as how to register for seminars, communicate with professors, or prepare for exams at a peer-to-peer level. Pedro Schlepper emphasizes: “But the buddy’s role isn’t limited to this. The social aspect is incredibly important to most participants: meeting people who know the country, the university, and the city and can help them connect with the local environment.”
Events organized by Pedro Schlepper and the team are equally popular among buddies and mentees, with three typically taking place each semester. “The Buddy Breakfast at the start of the semester is especially popular,” Schlepper shares. “It’s always incredibly lively, with over 120 participants. We’re very grateful for the support from the Frankfurt Student Services, which provides the food for the event.” Sana Aljadaan adds, “At these events, international students not only meet their buddy but also connect with many other students – a very productive way of building a sense of community.” The Buddy Program also collaborates with the International Study Meet-Up (IST) team, which offers numerous other events and is also part of the Studies Success and Integration group within SLI. The application deadline for this winter semester has already passed, but interested students can apply to become accompanying buddies for the next summer semester starting February 1, 2026. Students who are at least in their second semester, speak good German or English, have solid knowledge of life and studying in Frankfurt, and can dedicate two hours per week for meetings with their assigned buddy are warmly invited to apply. International students are also welcome to become buddies. “We continue to see growth every semester. In the winter semester 2024/25, 328 buddy pairs from all Goethe University faculties participated. With interest among international students also growing and a rising number of international study programs, there’s a need for a sufficient number of accompanying buddies. To ensure the best possible matches during pairing, we always need a few more accompanying buddies. Generally, we welcome all interested students from all fields and stages of study. We also value collaboration with faculties and study programs, whether it’s promoting the program or providing training for accompanying buddies, such as offering subject-specific information.”
