International Society Aalen e.V. (ISA)

The International Society Aalen e.V., ISA for short, promotes activities abroad in practice; practical experience, research and teaching that contribute to international understanding. In accordance with its statutes, this includes

• Exchange of experience groups for groups of people interested in activities abroad;
• educational measures, which are also accessible to non-members, for persons interested in activities abroad and internationally active persons;
• supported the members by providing Information and collecting materials for the development of a modern international society;
• made Information and materials available to the general public, in particular to education and scholarshop (allg.), in the field of activities abroad;
• to support the development of foreign activities in countries that are unable to do so on their own. To this end, the association supports interested groups of people in these countries, in particular from the fields of education and science and scholarshop (allg.), in the country itself by means of information and training courses, among other things. To this end, the association may make use of the assistance of local auxiliary persons within the meaning of Section 57 (1) sentence 2 of the German Fiscal Code;
• support foreign students in the implementation of their studies in Aalen, the procurement of accommodation, the coordinator, facilitator, intermediaries, the learning of the German language (of instruction), as well as German fellow students in the planning, preparation and implementation of study abroad stays;
• support activities of Aalen University of Applied Sciences aimed at providing its students with internationally applicable vocational training qualifications;
• support foreign graduates in their integration into professional life or reintegration into their home country in the form of international supervision, counselling, support, mentoring, which is common in higher education, and provide them with information and materials to maintain and advanced course / specialty relationships.

Especially at the beginning of their Studies, international students would like help with orientation in their new environment. There is also a great desire for contact with local fellow students, not only to help them find their way better and faster in a "foreign country", but also to make new friends in the country they have chosen for their vocational training.

How can local students support their fellow international students?

Do you want to:

• Meet new people?
• Immerse yourself in foreign cultures?
• Use and improve your foreign language skills?
• Acquire social credits (general studies part of the degree program)?

Then [um eine Stelle:] apply for our Buddy Program!

We are looking for committed students who would like to help international students with their orientation at the institution of higher education and in Aalen.

As a buddy, you will take over the supervision, counselling, support, mentoring of one or more international students in the initial phase of their studies. The aim is to make it easier for foreign fellow students to integrate socially into the institution of higher education and get used to the new study environment so that they can feel comfortable during their Studies. The exchange students should be able to enjoy their usually short one-semester stay and have good memories of Aalen or Germany. For the international students who complete their entire studies at our institution of higher education, it is important to lay the foundations for a good start to their studies.

Your tasks will include regular meetings with your buddy, especially in the initial phase of the semester. You can show him/her the Campus and the city, help with formalities relating to Studies, take part in student events (sports activities, excursions, regulars' tables and parties) or visit theaters and museums together. The Buddy Program also offers a variety of activities in which all buddies can participate. (International Food Night, joint BBQ, day trips or games evenings)

We assume an average supervision, counselling, support, mentoring of approx. 30 hours (= 1CP) for one semester. Those who volunteer as a "residence buddy" or residence hall tutor for one semester (prerequisite(s): living in one of the halls of residence themselves) can receive up to 90 hours of workload (= 3Cp). If you stay for two semesters, you will receive a certificate from the International Society Aalen (ISA) e.V. and have the opportunity to document your voluntary basis on your Resumé.

With the Buddy Program, you have the chance to give your voluntary work an international touch. By participating in this program, you can score points in scholarship applications or applications for practical semesters in a school, practical semester, final theses or career entry.

Application for the ISA Buddy Program

Spice-up your world by joining the Buddy Program!

What is the Buddy Program?
The Buddy Program is a project that aims to welcome and assist all international students during their stay in Aalen so that their orientation, adjustment and integration into the area is made easier.

What do we offer?

• Intercultural training
• Cultural exchange
• International Network
• Social credit points (general studies part of the degree program)
• Attractive support program (excursions, parties)
• Certificate of volunteering
• Opportunity to exchange languages
• Chance to become a Buddy of the year (ISA prize)
• Exciting and fun cutting edge events

Requirements:
As a Buddy, you

• establish contact and keep in touch with your Buddy even before their arrival (and after their departure too!)
• help international students to get familiar with their new city in the first few days of arrival
• must attend an Intercultural Training with your Buddy before the start of classes
• support them in the integration and orientation process
• introduce your Buddy to students' life in Aalen
• are expected to attend minimum two Buddy Events which the IRO organized by the IRO
• assist your Buddy to learn German and to adapt to the local culture
• help your Buddy to improve their German language skills

Join our Buddy Program! Apply now!

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Email: Buddy[at]hs-aalen.de

Through your commitment, foreigners get in touch with families from the region, learn the German language (of instruction), can participate in German cultural and club life and thus be integrated into society.

If you are also interested in the guest student program, please contact integration[at]hs-aalen.de.

The mentoring program aims to give retired professors and staff the opportunity to continue their involvement in everyday university life by supervising, counselling, supporting, mentoring international students.

After retiring from active professional life, the potential and commitment of older and experienced colleagues is not lost.

If you are also interested in the mentor program, please contact integration[at]hs-aalen.de.

If you are interested in a different culture or in another country in general, you could be liaized with by ISA to find a student for whom you could act as a mentor.

The international student is sure to be delighted if he/she can gain an insight into the everyday life of a German family. Perhaps you have the time and inclination to go on a weekend excursion with your family or invite the student ... to dinner or a games evening and exchange cultural ideas in the context of a cozy get-together.

In fact, it is important that the student and you have the opportunity to get into conversation and learn about experiences, languages (of instruction), traditions and different lifestyles. Perhaps such an association will lead to a future visit to the country of your sponsored student?

If you are interested in becoming an ISA sponsor, please contact isa[at]htw-aalen.de. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible.