Mentoring Programs for International Students
Intercultural Exchange and Peer-to-Peer Support
Each semester, a large number of students come from Europe and across the globe to study at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), enriching our university community. Our international students face enormous challenges in the first weeks of their stay: a foreign country, a new university, and knowing only a few people if any. In addition, they often have to search for accommodation and figure out residence permit formalities.
For this reason, we assign experienced TUM students as mentors who help and advise our new international students. Each subject area has its own program and supports its own students.
Information for Mentees
When you arrive at TUM, the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology (CIT) will assign TUM student mentors to guide you as you start out at the university. Each semester we set up a large number of mentor-mentee pairs – and, in some cases, they evolve into friendships.
If you come from abroad to start a master’s degree program or an exchange semester, we recommend joining one of our mentoring programs.
As a rule, mentors study in the same subject area, have been TUM students for a long time, and will know the answers to your questions about beginning your studies, for example:
- How does the German university system work?
- How do I draw up my class schedule?
- How do I register for exercise modules and examinations?
- How can I take part in sports at TUM?
- Where is the best beer garden in Munich?
Beyond that, mentors will help you find your way around the campus and suggest group activities, too.
Joining the mentoring program gives you many advantages:
- You already have a competent student contact person for questions before the semester begins.
- You get to meet fellow German and international students from CIT who will tell you all about everyday studies and student life.
- You will receive support from other students during your first steps in your new surrounds.
- A wide range of social activities allow you to expand your social network and share experiences.
Almost all of our mentors have been on an international exchange themselves or originally came here from abroad. So, they know how it feels to start afresh somewhere new and are very dedicated to providing support.
Registration for Mentees
Details of the individual mentoring programs and the link for registration can be found under the respective subject area.
Students from the Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree Program Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and exchange students can apply to join the mentoring program. You will be notified about the “match” at the end of July for the winter semester or at the end of February for the summer semester. TUM students only need to be available for their mentees from the beginning of October, as that is when the international exchange students start to arrive. Successful mentorship of exchange students will be taken into account if you yourself apply to go on Erasmus and TUMexchange.
To register for this program, please use our Mentee Registration Form. If you have any questions, please send us an email: mix-ece.asa(at)xcit.tum.de
The MINGA mentoring program is available to exchange students and new international full-time students in the subject area of Informatics at CIT. We usually match the mentor-mentee pairs in January and March for the coming summer semester and in July, August, and September for the subsequent winter semester.
To register for this program, please use our Mentee Registration Form. If you have any questions, you can reach us via email at minga-mentoring(at)in.tum.de.
Both full-time international students and exchange students can take part in the Buddy program organized by the subject area of Mathematics at CIT. You can register as soon as you accept your degree program place in TUMonline. There are no strict deadlines, but we do match the buddy pairs either in March or August so that you can contact your buddy before the semester begins.
Here is the registration form. If you have any questions, we will gladly help at incoming-math(at)cit.tum.de.
Information for Mentors
Each semester, we look for committed CIT students who want to gain intercultural experience by supporting our new international students as they find their way around the School and Munich.
We provide students with all important information and dates for events at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology and the TUM Global & Alumni Office. Mentors add personal contact to this service. No rules are set for the extent and level of the mentor/mentee relationship, in the end mutual sympathy and interests are decisive. However, to be a mentor, you will need to have enough time for the initial phase, for example, to take on the following tasks:
- Getting in touch via email or video conference ahead of the stay
- Answering questions
- If necessary, helping to find accommodation
- If necessary, tips for choosing subjects or examinations
- Introduction to use of TUMonline
- Help finding the way on campus
- Joint leisure activities
- Possibly meeting for lunch
Whether you have already been abroad yourself, are planning a stay abroad, or simply want to get to know international students at CIT – becoming a mentor has many advantages:
- Get to know new international students and make friends
- Use and improve language skills
- Gain intercultural experience and, at the same time, develop competencies that may help your career
- It's a big plus on any future applications for foreign exchanges (Erasmus+ or TUMexchange)
- Volunteer work (for instance, for scholarships)
- It might pique your interest in another international exchange
Anyone who is interested can get involved as a mentor. A good basis for participation is enjoying work with people, being open to new experiences, being interested in other cultures, having time and self-initiative, as well as attending the university regularly. Anyone who has an internship planned for the semester or has a lot going on in their spare time is advised to postpone participating in the mentoring program to another semester.
The mentor/mentee pairs are matched according to different criteria. Personal interests, the preferred region if indicated, language knowledge, and also the degree program play a role. Since all international students should be assigned a TUM mentor, we unfortunately cannot always take all wishes into consideration in the matching process.
Registration for Mentors
Details of the individual mentoring programs and the link for registration can be found under the respective subject area.
Students from the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Program Electrical Engineering and Information Technology as well as exchange students can take part in the MIX mentoring program. Please use the Mentor Registration Form to register.
The MINGA mentoring program is open to all students in the subject area of Informatics at CIT. Our mentors support exchange students and new full-time international students in their own department. We usually match the mentor-mentee pairs in January and March for the coming summer semester and in July, August, and September for the subsequent winter semester. If you are interested in becoming a mentor for up to three international students, we look forward to receiving your registration. Please use our Mentor Registration Form.
At the end of your work as a MINGA mentor, we will gladly issue confirmation of your participation. Please fill in our form MINGA Mentor Confirmation for this purpose. If you have any questions, you can reach us via email at minga-mentoring(at)in.tum.de.
The buddy program at CIT enables both exchange students and international master's students from the subject area of Mathematics to register as mentees. We normally have considerably more mentees than TUM mentors. Therefore, our mentors often look after two mentees. To allow us to plan better and put buddy partners in touch with each other before the semester begins, you should register by no later than 15 July for the winter semester and by no later than 15 February for the summer semester. If you miss the deadlines, please still ask if you can take part. We are always looking for buddies.
Here is the registration form. If you have any questions, we will gladly help at incoming-math(at)cit.tum.de.