The primary objective of buddy programs is to pair incoming international students with existing students. More and more universities are now looking at offering such programs to prospective international students so as to address the challenges that are faced by incoming students.
Buddy programs are designed in such a manner that international students get matched with existing students well in advance that is much before the course commences.
The matching between the students is done considering several factors such as:
The basic idea is to connect new students with their buddies ahead of arriving at their study destination. The matching of students is generally done via e-mail. Later on, several other mediums might be used by students to maintain contact with their buddy.
Benefits of Buddy Program
Even though the role of a buddy may vary depending on the institution, their primary duty remains the same. It is to spend some time, generally, a few weeks with their buddies to help them adjust to new surroundings quickly by taking them around or by helping them with several new-student tasks.
Buddy program can help incoming students in different ways by: