Be a Buddy – meet international students from the whole world!

The Buddy Programme is looking for you who are studying at Umeå University and would like to help our international students to have an unforgettable time studying at the university. As a buddy, you are a support for international students and one of the most important contacts for them at Umeå University.
 
The Buddy Programme is coordinated during the academic year 2023-2024 by Anna Ruëdisuëli, student coordinator. Anna comes from France and during the academic year 2022/2023 she was an exchange student at Umeå University. During the autumn of 2023, she had 150 buddies engaged and 725 international students in the Buddy Programme. The programme means a lot to the students.

Aïssatou Lala Diakhaté takes part in a social activity with the Buddy Programme. 

ImageSam Michaelsson

“As someone who has been part of the Buddy Programme as an international student, I can say how much it brought me. Because when you arrive in a new city, far away from where you come from, everything around you is new, and you know no one. Even though it can be exciting, it's hard not to feel alone, and it's easy to get lost in this new environment figuratively and literally. Ultimately, it's hard to know where to start. For internationals and exchange students, the Buddy Programme represents a place to start”, says Aïssatou Lala Diakhaté, master student in cognitive science and taking part in the Buddy Programme. 

Johan is a Buddy in the Buddy Programme and helps international students to settle in Umeå. In this picture he is teaches them to play the Swedish sport brännboll. 

ImageAlan Coiffard

Johan Meurk studies civil engineering with focus on industrial economy and has been a buddy this semester.
 
“The Buddy Programme was an amazing experience! To be given the opportunity to extend a warm welcome for people from all around the world in the best way possible was incredibly enjoyable. It is an exciting way to forge new friendships globally, exchanging experiences and sharing our own unique traditions and diverse cultures with each other.”
 
Johan Meurk continues:
“I knew before the Buddy Programme that I wanted to go on exchange studies; now I am completely convinced and can't wait until then!”

All students in the Buddy Programme are divided into so-called Buddy groups. The groups consist of 25-30 international students and 8-10 established students as buddies. As a Buddy you can also take on an extra responsibility as a group leader. When you apply, you choose whether you are interested in taking on a little more responsibility as a group leader.

This is the Buddy Programme 

The Buddy Programme is a community at Umeå University that introduces international students to Sweden and helps them to settle in Umeå. The programme organises events and gatherings where international and established students can hang out, and it the buddy group becomes like a second family to the students.
 
As a buddy, you play an important role in the international students' overall experience of Sweden, Umeå and Umeå University. You will be one of the first point of contacts that international students have with Umeå students.

The Buddy Programme starts at the beginning of the semester and runs throughout the semester. The beginning of the semester can be more intensive with several joint activities for all buddy groups. Then it is the commitment of the own group that determines how often you meet, once a week or twice a month is usually recommended.

Why you should be a Buddy

Besides being a great deal of fun, there are many other benefits to being a Buddy: 

• You get to meet new people from other cultures.
• You have the chance to make friends for life but you also have the chance to learn invaluable knowledge about other cultures.
• You improve your language skills.
• You have a chance to deepen your knowledge in other languages!
• If you want to apply for an exchange place, being a Buddy can be a merit. If you have been an active Buddy or a group leader you will receive a certificate from the International Office. For more information read more on the Buddy Programme's webpage.
   

Sign up to be a Buddy

To become a buddy for international students, you need to submit an application. In the application you enter your contact information, what you are studying and past experiences with the Buddy Programme. You can also choose if you're interested in being a group leader or a Buddy.
Sign up as soon as possible so you don't miss out on the fun!

Sign up before the spring semester starts.

More information and sign up to become a Buddy

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