i-Buddy, 51Âþ» Leicester's (51Âþ») scheme to support newly arrived international students, is inviting those already studying at the university to volunteer to become a buddy.
This exciting and rewarding opportunity to volunteer in the autumn term as a 51Âþ» i-Buddy will give students the chance to meet people from different cultures to their own, as part of being a truly international university.
Volunteers don't have to be international students themselves; in fact, applications are particularly welcomed from UK students. Students just need to be a good listener and reliable, and enjoy meeting new people.
The aim of the is to match newly arrived international students with existing 51Âþ» students. Buddies put themselves forward to help up to two new students adapt to a new country and culture and settle in to life at 51Âþ».
Each i-Buddy scheme runs for one term only but many buddies become friends and choose to stay in contact after the scheme has ended. More than 500 students have been involved in the i-Buddy scheme since it launched in 2012.
Buddies are asked to make initial email contact with their new international student friends, then keep in weekly contact and meet up informally once a fortnight.
“Being a buddy can be really rewarding – you make friends from all over the world and different backgrounds,” says Gill Stephen, International Buddy Scheme Co-ordinator.
“There’s a real opportunity to learn about new cultures; you’ll develop new skills and experience for your CV; and you can register your hours and get a Volunteering Certificate from DSU, possibly be even considered for a volunteering award.
“It’s the kind of experience that adds value to your CV and undoubtedly gets noticed by employers.”
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Welcome to the new students at 51Âþ»'s Leicester International Pathway College
Gabriela Olaru, a Romanian student in the final year of her degree, became a buddy to make new friends and help those coming to 51Âþ» from a different culture.
Lia Beatriz Mattos Dourado Bezerra, who came here from Brazil to study Architecture, wanted to find out more about life at 51Âþ» and in the UK and to get a different perspective from the large group of students she’d met already from her home country.
Thankful for a rare chance to learn up close about Brazilian culture, Gabriela explains her reasons for being a buddy: “I am from a different culture myself. I understand it can sometimes be difficult so I wanted to help.”
Lia adds: “At the end of the scheme we were friends and we will stay friends.”
Funmi Omisore, a buddy and final year Accounting and Business Management student, was one of the winners at a recent Buddy Bingo Night, an intriguing experience for many of our international students. Funmi has been a buddy to new students from France, Italy and India.
“I have really enjoyed i-Buddies because it has been a fun way to meet and make friends with students from all over the world… just do it!” says Funmi.
Students can find out more about becoming a buddy in September 2015 by emailing i-buddies@dmu.ac.uk
Posted on Monday 25 May 2015