DUXBUDDY
How can you find out in advance whether a study programme is really right for you? And what if you can’t work that out just from brochures or websites?
A study project by Joline Krones, Stella Umlauf and Emily Zimmermann
2nd semester, 2025
Supervisors: Prof. Andrea Krajewski, Dieter Stasch, Torben Toepper
The starting point
Choosing a study programme is often an emotional decision, fraught with uncertainty. Many prospective students want a genuine insight into what the study programme involves, yet official information from universities often remains rather abstract. This can lead to unrealistic expectations – and, in the worst case, to students dropping out.
The idea
DUXBUDDY focuses on authenticity rather than polished, official information: through an interactive game, prospective students are matched with a current student from the UXD study programme – a real person with similar or even identical interests. Together with their buddies, prospective students can explore the campus, gain an authentic insight into the UXD study programme and exchange ideas on a personal level.
What makes it special
DUXBUDDY is more than just a matching tool – it’s an experience. Instead of dry information sessions, the service offers a personal encounter and creates an emotional connection to the study programme. In a relaxed atmosphere, for example during a joint DoLu (Thursday lunch), you can ask questions, be amazed and get a taste of what it’s like.
Insight
What matters are genuine connections. Our users have made it clear: authentic experiences with peers are often more valuable than any official source of information. DUXBUDDY provides exactly this kind of access – approachable, straightforward and human.