Ask for a mentor
What is a Mentor/Buddy?
Mentors/Buddies are students at our university, who assist international students during their exchange. You should know that they do not get paid for this. They do it in their spare time! Their motivation is to get to learn more about your culture, to improve their language skills and to have fun with you! Ideally, this starts when the international students arrive in Graz and continues until the end of the semester. They assist you to get used to the new environment and help you through teething troubles. After your arrival in Graz, your Mentor can pick you up at the airport or train station and accompany you to your new apartment. But you have to contact your mentor at least two weeks in advance and tell him/her in detail, when and where he/she shall pick you up and where you will stay (to get the key).
How does the mentor system work and what can I expect?
You can apply for a buddy-group before your arrival in Graz. We recommend you to use this service! At some universities it is quite common to call a mentor "buddy". The mentor system is organised in groups so your mentor might care for 2-3 incoming students altogether.
What else can you expect from your mentor group? Of course, this mainly depends on the people who are in the group. There are no rules except one: Ask your mentors for help when you have problems and they will try their best to help you.
Other advantages of a mentor group:
- going out together
- language, cultural exchange/support
- doing sports together
- ...
How to apply for a buddy-group?
- First you complete this online application form. Please note that you won't get a confirmation after the registration.
Deadline: 15th January 2012 - After the application deadline has ended, you'll receive an e-mail (at latest in the last week of January) with the contact information of your mentor/buddy.
Contact your mentor as soon as possible!!! He/She will also be there for any other problems you may have.
If you have any questions or problems - just contact us!! See you soon! Have a good and safe trip!
David, Jakob, Michaela & Sascha , ESN Uni Graz Team
