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MIN Faculty
Facultyof Mathematics, Informatics
and Natural Sciences

Photo: UHH/Blender

International Affairs

What are the responsibilities of a Welcome Buddy?

The Welcome Buddy is a registered doctoral researcher at the MIN Faculty who supports the prospective or new doctoral researchers from abroad (incoming buddy) for example in the following ways: 

  • correspondence via email prior to arrival in Hamburg
  • pick up the new doctoral researcher from the airport/train station on your arrival
  • help her/him  to find his/her ways around Hamburg (city tour) and the UHH Campus (Regional Computer Center, library, cafeteria, etc.)
  • support her/him with the necessary administrative paper work (e.g. registering at the Registration Office, signing a rental contract, opening a bank account)
  • help her/him settle in Hamburg (e.g. shopping facilities, getting around with the Hamburg Public Transport Association HVV or with the CityBike), but also the exchange of culture and experience abroad

These are not your responsibilities as a Welcome Buddy:

  • Find accommodation for your Buddy (the UHH Welcome Service for International Researchers is of assistance here)
  • support the visa application process
  • Provide information on application and immatriculation processes at Universität Hamburg
  • Give information on research

Of course we do not expect that you offer a round-the-clock support. It is for you to decide if and how much you involve your (Incoming) Buddy into your everyday life. You will not become an advisor on general questions on study and life. Whenever you feel overstrained, do not hesitate to contact us for further support.

The Buddy Program can be approved as one part of the CIC (Certificate Intercultural Competence). You will receive an individual certificate for extracurricular activities or voluntary work and can use it for your application for a comprehensive Certificate Intercultural Competence.