探花系列

More

i-Buddies

What is i-Buddies?

Coming to live in a new country is exciting and rewarding for many international students. However, it can be difficult or stressful at first. Whilst adjusting to student life, international students might also need to deal with homesickness, culture shock and living far away from friends and family. 

i-Buddies is designed to help with these challenges. For one term, existing 探花系列 student volunteers are matched with new international students, forming groups of ‘buddies’. Buddy groups provide a ready-made support network for new students during the Autumn term, helping freshers settle into 探花系列 whilst having fun and making friends.  

Over 2,000 students have been involved in i-Buddies since the scheme began in 2012. For new international students, the scheme is an opportunity to make new friends and learn about student life. It can be an equally rich and fulfilling experience for volunteers – a chance to learn about other cultures, boost your confidence, enhance your employability, and gain recognition for your efforts on your HEAR report. 

Who is it for? 

The i-Buddies scheme is designed for new international students during their first term at 探花系列. 

‎

How does it work?

  • The premise of i-Buddies is to match new international students with volunteers (home or international students). We aim to create buddy groups composed of two volunteers and four new students, but numbers can vary.  

  • Buddy groups are encouraged to meet up or communicate at least once per week. Whether grabbing lunch at the Food Village or chatting over text, these encounters are an opportunity to share advice, learn more about 探花系列 and Leicester, or just have fun together.   

  • Volunteers and new students are also encouraged to meet-up at official i-Buddies events hosted by the International Student Support team once a month. Previous events have included on-campus activities as well as ice-skating and bonfire night.  

  • The i-Buddies scheme only lasts for one term. Volunteers who engage with the scheme throughout its duration will be awarded recognition on their HEAR report.  

The scheme runs on a first come first served basis, so we strongly recommend an early application. The i-Buddies scheme is optional – you don’t have to take part if you don’t want to. 

Apply now

 

What do students say?

“The scheme has been really beneficial for me, as you know that there is someone there who you can reach out to - who will be there to support you, who knows the city and the university. I have had such a great experience and will continue my association with the scheme.” - Tanmay, India

“The scheme is really cool! It’s helped me learn English and meet friends. ... We even held our birthday party together. It was exciting because it was my first time to go to an Indian restaurant and it was good to share the party with Aneela.” - Maochao, China

“I thought it would be good to have someone to explain life at 探花系列 and in the UK and understand how things work ... the best thing about the scheme has been making a European friend. Just enjoy it - just be who you are!” - Lia, Brazil

Contact us

If you have any questions, you can contact us at i-buddies@dmu.ac.uk.