If you sign up for for the Buddy Network you will be assigned two AAU Buddies and become a part of a Buddy group with 6-10 other international students.

A Buddy is an AAU student who, voluntarily, functions as a contact person for a group of international AAU students - and who dedicates themselves to help new international AAU students get a good start with their studies.

What to expect from your buddy

Buddies are expected to inform about the form of study and life in Aalborg and Denmark and assist with practical issues. E.g.:

• Teach about Danish culture, what is normal and what is abnormal (what is expected in certain situations and what is not expected)
• How is Danish humour, 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 Wi-Fi 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
• 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.)

Not two AAU buddies are alike. Some of the buddies are eager to interact and socialize, while others stick to the role of being informative and do not wish to socialize much. That's is also the reason why you will be assigned two Buddies. 

Events planned by your buddy

Please find examples of activities your buddy might arrange for you and your group:

• 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)

Monthly events in the Buddy-Programme

Besides the events planned by your buddy, the AAU Buddy coordinators plan several events throughout the semester for you, your buddy, and other international AAU students, who have signed up for a Buddy.

When you are assigned a buddy, you will receive a link to a closed Facebook group for members of the Buddy Network, where events and other relevant information are shared. You will also receive emails with information on the events.

Examples of events in the Buddy-Programme

When you are a part of the Buddy Programme the Buddy coordinators will plan events only for the members of the Buddy Programme, like e.g.:

• Bowling
• Halloween night
• Board Games
• Potluck Dinner Party
• Christmas Event

Only campus Aalborg

The Buddy programme is currently only active in Campus Aalborg, unfortunately it is not active in Copenhagen and Esbjerg.

Copenhagen

Contact: Deborah Vlayemans at: international@cph.aau.dk 

Esbjerg

Contact: Heidi Valdkilde Abrahamsen at: hvj@staff.aau.dk 

Please keep in mind that your buddy will spend time contacting you and preparing events, information, etc. for you. Thus, we urge you to register only if you expect to participate actively.

If you sign up, you will be assigned a Buddy approx. start of August (Fall semesters)/mid of January (Spring semesters).

All new international students at AAU are much welcome to apply for a buddy (free of charge). Please sign up using the link below.