What is a Buddy?

A buddy is a current AAU student who, voluntarily, acts as a contact person and helps new international students get a good start on their studies at AAU. You are expected to help between 3-5 new international students. The number depends on the number of buddies, who sign up and the number of international students, who want a buddy.

Expectations of a buddy

As a buddy, you are expected to inform about the form of study and life in Aalborg and Denmark and assist with some practical things – see the alignment of expectations below.

It is up to the international student how much he or she wants to use his or her buddy. Some international students become good friends with their buddy and stick together throughout the study period, while others only take advantage of the offer during the first days of their stay.

The Buddy Programme - which campuses?

The Buddy programme is currently not active in Copenhagen and Esbjerg.

Copenhagen

If you are interested in helping your international fellow students in Copenhagen, you are encouraged to sign up as a tutor. Read more about being a tutor at AAU here.

Contakt: CPH Tutor tutor@cph.aau.dk 

Esbjerg

If you want to help your international fellow students in Esbjerg, you are encouraged to contact the international coordinator:

Kontakt: Heidi Valdkilde Abrahamsen, hvj@staff.aau.dk

What is expected of you as a Buddy?

Your most important task is to help your new international students get a good start on their studies. 

You must contact your students as soon as you are assigned them approx. 1 - 2 months before the start of studies, as they have lots of questions before their arrival.

You need to help them go from feeling like an outsider to an insider by:

• Teach them a little about Danish culture, what is normal and what is abnormal (what is expected in certain situations and what is not expected)
• How is Danish humor, punctuality, etc.
• How is the culture at the university (group work, questions for lectures, how to address professors)
• What is expected of the individual participants in group work, e.g. the importance of adhering to agreements/trust
• Show around campus (free wifi on campus with student email)
• Explain how to take the bus (possibly a monthly pass or a travel card) and help get a rejsekort.
• Offer to help get a bank account (only possible after they have been given a CPR number, which requires they have been granted a residence permit)
• Explain how they comply with traffic laws as a cyclist and pedestrian (lights on bicycles in the evening, do not cycle on pedestrian streets, not be two people on a 1-person bicycle, etc.)

You are also expected to show them around the city (preferably in groups with 3-4 other buddy and their students) e.g.:

• The library and how they borrow books, CDs, and DVDs
• Police station
• Emergency
• Good cafes
• Show where they can shop (cheap groceries) near their accommodation
• Help them find a bike (possibly the police auction)

The Buddy coordinators, regularly prepare activities that you and your students are much welcome to participate in. Therefore, you do not have to be in charge of all activities.

A buddy helps make a decisive difference

As a buddy, you often have a crucial role in ensuring that the new international student has a good stay in Denmark and at AAU.

It is especially in the weeks leading up to the start of studies, and the months after study start your role is important. Therefore, consider whether you have the time. If you are going on vacation / travelling abroad for a longer period, it may be next semester you should sign up instead. 

• Hot cacao and backgammon at Studenterhuset
• International evening every Wednesday at Studenterhuset
• Communal dining with culinary experiences
• Cinema trip
• Skating in Gigantium
• Vegatar kitchen at 1000Fryd every Tuesday
• Sightseeing in Aalborg and the surrounding area
• Visit KUNSTEN
• A trip to the Zoo
• A trip to the swimming pool (Nørresundby Svømmehal, Haraldslund Svømmehal, or Gigantium)
• A walk in a park or on the waterfront
  Theatre etc. on Transformer
• Art, music, etc. at Huset in Hasserisgade
• Party and dancing in Jomfru Ane Gade (The Party Street in Aalborg)

The Buddy coordinators also regularly arrange events where you and your students can participate.

To apply for a buddy (free of charge), register yourself here