Information on the Buddy System
A buddy system is being established to support newly arrived students from Ukrainian universities. Buddies are regular UZH students who assist visiting students from Ukrainian universities with orientation at UZH and administrative issues.
Buddies support visiting students from Ukrainian universities in
- general orientation;
- serving as a first social contact on site;
- and in providing administrative support when needed (MS Teams, OLAT, etc.).
Coordination of the Buddy System
The Erasmus Student Network Zurich (ESN) is responsible for matching regular UZH students with visiting students from Ukrainian universities; this includes sending an information email to the buddies.
Global Student Experience (GSE) is responsible for
- responding to inquiries from matched buddies and Ukrainian visiting students;
- briefing in the form of an e-mail (sent via ESN, see entry "Sending information e-mail to buddy");
- managing an information and communication platform (MS Teams); this includes
- Responding to inquiries on MS Teams;
- and updating information.
Important
Buddies are not expected to host, financially support, or psychologically counsel visiting students. If any uncertainties or problems arise, buddies can always contact GSE incoming@int.uzh.ch
Please be aware that students who have fled Ukraine may have experienced trauma. Therefore, it is important that you set boundaries and seek help when necessary.
General Information on the Visiting Student Program for Ukrainian Students
Students who are enrolled at a recognized foreign university have the possibility to come to UZH as regular visiting students or invited visiting students. Regular visiting students are bound to semester dates and attend classes, while invited visiting students pursue a project (e.g. research, thesis) independent of semester dates. Ukrainian visiting students can enroll as visiting students in both cases at any time, because the usual deadlines do not apply to them.
The general rule for admission to visiting studentships is that students remain enrolled at their home university during their stay at UZH and cannot obtain a UZH degree. There is no right to admission.
Regular visiting students are enrolled at UZH for one or more semesters, can book courses and earn ECTS credits. They receive a transcript at the end of their stay if they have completed the relevant credits.
Invited guest students are enrolled at UZH for 2 to a maximum of 12 months. They are associated with a UZH institute in the context of a project (e.g. research or thesis).
Visiting students receive a UZH student card and a UZH login. This gives them free access to UZH services such as module booking, ASVZ, libraries, refectory, etc.
GSE oversees all visiting students at BA and MA levels.
