The first semester at a new university is full of challenges : Where is the library? How are courses registered? Delivered like a lecture? And how do the exams work? Who can take university sports courses? Questions upon questions that every student faces in their first semester. Orientation is difficult for everyone. However, it is much more difficult when there is also a new culture and a new language.
A student in a higher semester can help easily. That's why the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German National Academic Foundation launched a tandem program for German and Syrian students at the beginning of the year. The program started with 67 intercultural couples, with more to follow. The students meet once a week, talk about their student life and take part in activities together.
The program is intended not only to help Syrian students settle into their new university, but also to promote communication between cultures. “We know from our DAAD experience and numerous studies how important personal support is for the academic success of foreign students. With the tandem project, we also consciously want to promote dialogue between students from different cultures. Intercultural understanding is the best crisis prevention,” says DAAD President Prof. Margret Wintermantel.
And even if you're not part of a tandem program: If you see a lost-looking person on campus - or anywhere else - just reach out and talk to them.
