BuddySystem
The BuddySystem Team 09/10
from the right to the left: Marina, Chloé, Lukas, Linda, Carina
We are looking forward to getting to know you!!
Team
Linda König, 4th semester Business Administration Hobbies: Travelling, Dancing, Big band “I love meeting people from other countries and travelling. The BuddySystem offered me the opportunity to get to know students from all over the world and organized events that make their exchange unforgettable.”
Carina Schneider, 6th semester Business Administration
Hobbies: Reading, Listening to music, Travelling, Sports
“I like the possibility to meet people from all over the world and organize special events and city trips to give them a chance to get to know Switzerland and its culture.”
, 6th Semester Business Administration
Hobbies: Partying, Coffee time with my friends, Music, Basketball playing, Travelling with or for the BuddySystem =)
“I wanted to spend more time with crazy international students! I wanted to be more engaged in my student life so the Student Union offered to me a unique possibility. There is always something to do without being overworked. Besides this I can improve my English and soft skills."
Lukas Troxler, 4th Semester Business Administration
Hobbies: Tennis, Snowboarding, Travelling
“I am interested in different cultures and the BuddySystem offers the unique chance getto know people from abroad. Besides having a lot of fun, you can train your language and organization capabilities.”
Marina Mahler, 2nd Semester Business Administration
Hobbies: Water sports, Jogging and Music
“I've always loved travelling and exploring other countries and their cultures. As a member of the BuddySystem I have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and experience an international atmosphere even though I'm not abroad. Thus, I got to know some pretty good friends amongst both team members and exchange students since we've had such a good time whilst making excursions and partying together.”
Maxence Viallon, 4th semester Economics
Hobbies: Big band, Travelling, Food (cooking & eating), Cycling, Skiing
“I wanted to do something else than only studying. Besides this, internationality is a part of my life. That’s why I decided to get involved in the Student Union by joining the BuddySystem."
You also want to become a Team member of the BuddySystem for next semester? Apply with your motivation letter and CV on
buddysystem@myunisg.chWho we are and what we are doing...
Every year there are approximately 500 exchange students from all over the world that come to th euniversity of St.Gallen for an exchange semester. As you can imagine starting fresh at a new university is not always easy, especially in a foreign country with a different culture and customs. That is why the student union founded the BuddySystem (BS). Through collaboration with the International Departement in 1993, the BuddySystem partnered with the International Exchange Office, which is responsible for administrative questions and academic issues concerning the exchange.
The goal and task of the BuddySystem is the social integration of all new exchange students. The BuddySystem works as a platform for exchange students. Besides providing a bread social program, the main purpose of the BuddySystem is to organize a well functioning supportive network, in which local students with an interest for international contacts play a crucial role. The exchange students are matched with a personal Buddy from the University of St.Gallen. Ideally these Buddies are the first contact point for any kind for questions and problems. They are supposed to integrate the exchange students in the social life at the University, help them with academic or personal problems and to mediate contacts.
On the one hand the social integration of the exchange students is guaranteed and on the other hand, local students profit from these international contact. But the most important aspect is the emergence of friendships that hopefully last longer than one semester.
The BuddySystem core team consits of 6 local students ans is the heart and brain of the whole system. The team coordinates the different groups, plans the program and abquires sponsors to overcome financial gaps between exchange students and Buddies. Last but not least it is the ultimate insurance policy for any problems and questions that may arise.
The Term-Highlights range from ski-weekends to company visits, a welcome dinner and cultural daytrips to all party of switzerland and, of course, the legendary BuddySystem-Parties. All with the intention to explore and support the understanding of Swiss culture.
Typical BuddySystem Events:
International Dinner
Skiday & Skiweekend
Zurich Nightlife
Farewell Party
Fondue Dinner
Visit of the Appenzeller Landsgemeinde
Bowling
City Tours and Sightseeing in Zurich, Luzern, St.Gallen, Schaffhausen, Lausanne, Basel, Bern, ...
3. What is a Buddy?
A Buddy is a local student, who takes care of an incoming exchange student, called a BuddyBaby. His task is to get in contact with his BuddyBaby, answer questions and help out where he or she is needed. This is especially important in the beginning of the semester term, ,when the BuddyBaby just arrived in St.Gallen. After the first meeting they have to decide how they want to stay in contact. Ideally the Buddies are the first contact if any problemy arise. But do not worry: The main goal of this matching is having fun and making new friends from all over the world. As a Buddy you have the chance to get a glance into the exchange students' lifes and learn more about a different culture.
As a Buddy you are invited to all the events The BuddySystem Team organizes throughout the semester, such as skiweekends, company visits, International Dinner, etc.
4. Tandem
The BuddySystem offers to bring local and HSG-Students together to improve their language skills. A student teaches you her/his native language and in exchange you teach her/him yours.
You decide when, where and how often you meet!
Write an E-Mail to tandem@myunisg.ch with your name, semester, desired and native language.
Events
Introduction week 10th until 19th of February
Wednesday 10. Feb. : Welcome and Campustour
Thursday 11. Feb. : Bowling (Meetingpoint: 7.30 p.m. in front of the Mc Donalds at the Marktplatz)
Saturday 13. Feb. : Trip to engelberg/Titlis Mountain (sith sledging and an amazing view!) (Meetingpoint: 7 a.m. in front of the big stairs at the trainstation)
Sunday: 14. Feb. Ice-Skating (Meetingpoint: 4p.m. Mc Donalds Marktplatz)
Monday: 15. Feb. FondueNight (Meetingpoint: 7.30 p.m. Mc Donalds Marktplatz)
Wednesday: 17. Feb. Swisschat at Candela (Meetingpoint: 7.30 p.m. Mc Donalds Marktplatz)
Friday: 19. Feb. PubCrawl (Meetingpoint: 7.30 p.m. Mc Donalds Marktplatz) after the PubCrawl we meet again at the Marktplatz
Spring Semester 2010
Wednesday, 24th of February: Meet-your-Buddy-Apéro
Saturday/Sunday, 20th/21st of March: Skiweekend at Lenzerheide
Wednesday, 24th of March: CasinoNight
Wednesday, 31st of March: International Dinner
Wednesday, 21st of April: visit IWC factory and Rhinefalls
Sunday, 25th of April: Landsgemeinde and visit Appenzeller destillery
Saturday/Sunday, 8th/9th of May: Western Switzerland weekend
Friday, 14th of May: Farewell-Party
General Links
www.exchange.unisg.chFor bachelor students: www.bachelor-stufe.unisg.ch
For master students: www.master-stufe.unisg.ch If you are looking for accommodation check out: www.myunisg.ch/wohnungsmarkt or contact the Housing Staff from the Exchange Office. If you are interested in sports: www.sport.unisg.ch
Tandem
The BuddySystem offers to bring local and HSG-Students together to improve their language skills. A student teaches you her/his native language and in exchange you teach her/him yours.You decide when, where and how often you meet!
Write an E-Mail to tandem@myunisg.ch with your name, semester, desired and native language.
If you feel like studying another language in a real class instead of the informal Tandem opportunity, we have something for you:
The Language Center of the University offers language classes in different foreign languages. Have a look at the homepage: www.sprachenzentrum.unisg.ch