As the ICO, we are happy to announce our Fall 2023 call for the International Student Buddy Program!

With your support in the voluntary Buddy Program, you will have the chance to learn about other cultures, make new friends, improve your interpersonal skills, and receive a certificate at the end of the program.

We strongly welcome our international students to take part in the program. Your experiences will be highly valuable in supporting the new students who will be joining us in the Fall semester!

As a Buddy, you will be:

• getting acquainted with new students prior to their arrival on the Goin’ app and answering their questions,
• assisting new students with settling in,
• helping them to navigate around procedures at KU,
• supporting them with their residence permit applications,
• participating in every session of the Buddy training and specific sessions of the orientation week,
• reporting interactions with students on a monthly basis to the ICO members by submitting evaluation forms,
• improving your communication and relationship skills to get ready for the professional world,
• extending your network,
• experiencing new cultures and perspectives,
• creating new friendships.

Requirements:

• Being an undergraduate student who will be a Year 2 student in the Fall semester
• Ability to socialize and communicate with new people easily
• Strong sense of responsibility and belief in the value of volunteerism, hospitality, diversity, inclusion, and equality
• Being helpful to and developing empathy with people from different backgrounds
• Interest in different cultures, learning or improving how to communicate with new international people
• Fluency in English

Application Deadline: Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Key Dates:

– Buddy Online Training: 4 July 2023

– Pre-Arrival Webinar for New International Students: 18 July 2023

* In-person training and Orientation Week – estimated to be mid-September. Buddies are expected to be on campus for the in-person training sessions and orientation week.

IMPORTANT: You can take part in the Buddy Program if only you are an undergraduate student and will have at least completed your first year by Fall ‘23.