Global Buddies matches existing students (Mentors) and new international students (Buddies) in a programme of joint fun activities designed to create a warm and friendly welcome to Brookes. It doesn't matter whether you are shy or outgoing, anyone can join as a mentor or as a buddy.
Global Buddies
Welcoming international students to Oxford Brookes!
Global Buddies runs in the Autumn and Spring semesters and brings together our current UK and current international students, who we call Mentors, with newly arrived international students, called Buddies, through organised events and activities. Many of these events are subsidised, and our events team has even organised the first 4 weeks, so bring your enthusiasm along and eagerness with you to make new friends. Groups are also free to organise their own activities!
Mentors can share their experiences and provide tips about how to settle into life at Brookes and Oxford, and new international students will share their unique experiences and culture.
After registrations close, the Global Buddies Coordinators will match 1 or 2 Mentors with a small group of Buddies based on common interests. Your Mentor will then contact you along with the rest of your group by email to organise an initial catch-up activity early in the semester (Between 28 September - 8 October). Each group led by a Mentor will attend activities and events together which may be events organised by the Global Buddies Coordinators and/or your own activities.
To join, you need to:
- Read all the information available on this webpage before signing up, to ensure the programme is right for you.
- Complete the Registration Form in the section below (Register as a Mentor or Buddy). Please note, the forms for Buddies and Mentors are different so make sure you complete the one applicable to you.
- Download and sign the Rules & Regulations document in the section below to confirm you agree and email the signed copy to global-buddies@brookes.ac.uk.
Due to the high number of registrations we receive each semester, we are unable to send an email to each individual student to confirm we have safely received their registration form and signed Rules & Regulations document. We will however email you before the closing date. If you don’t hear from us by this date, please email global-buddies@brookes.ac.uk.
If you want to become a Buddy, please email global-buddies@brookes.ac.uk.
Why become a Buddy?
Starting at university can be a challenging time, especially if you are also travelling to a new country and adjusting to a new culture. Being part of Global Buddies helps make this experience a positive and rewarding one.
- A great way to make new friends from around the globe and have intercultural experiences.
- Settle into Oxford life more quickly.
- Share your unique culture with others and spread intercultural awareness.
- Make new friends from around the globe.
- Learn more about the British culture through our Mentors as well as other cultures.
Registrations are now closed.
You must be able to attend the compulsory in person training on 21 September, 15.00 - 17.00.
Why become a Mentor?
- A great way to make new friends from around the globe and share intercultural experiences.
- This is not a paid position, but it does develop employability skills through transferable skills, such as team building and leadership and looks great on a CV.
- Build confidence leading others through your own personal experiences in a supportive environment.
- Opportunity to join an informal Mentor catch-up to share tips and experience with other Mentors.
You can become a Mentor if you are a current UK or international student. You will be responsible for leading a group of new international students to help them integrate into UK life and encourage them to make new friends.
- Receive a Certificate of Participation
- Receive a BrookesEDGE STAR award (Mentors only)
- Mentors Skills Session (See Global Buddies Events table below)
More details will be provided after joining the programme.
| Week / Date | Activity |
|---|---|
Thursday 21 September | Mentor Training (in person compulsory training) During this compulsory session, we will share tools and information to help you succeed as a Mentor. We will share details closer to the date. |
| Weeks 1 and 2 28 September - 8 October | Initial Catch-Up It’s time to meet your group! Mentors will get in contact with their Buddies to organise a first catch-up through an activity, for example, going to a café or walk etc. |
Week 3 Tuesday 10 October 18.00 - 21.00 | Board game café The café has a wide selection of board games which you can choose from. You will also be able to order food and drinks separately. Subsidised tickets will be available closer to the date. |
Week 5 Tuesday 24 October From 18.00 | Junkyard Golf Join us for a crazy night of indoor golf: a 9-hole jungle-themed crazy golf course in a club atmosphere! Subsidised tickets will be available closer to the date. |
| Week 6 (Date to be confirmed) | Compulsory Mentor Skills Session The Mentor Skills Session is a 1 hour in person session, facilitated by Careers and provides Mentors with important knowledge and skills for employability and how you can make the most of your mentor experience. |
Week 7 Tuesday 7 November From 18.00 | Ice skating Join us for a fun evening at the Oxford Ice Rink! Subsidised tickets will be available closer to the date. |
“This semester being a global buddy has been amazing. I have attended the junkyard golf event, and the board games event. Moreover, I have seen my buddies during other events around university too and going for meals too. It was nice to meet people that were so nice, friendly and kind to communicate with, and I feel doing global buddies therefore has made my university experience very rewarding, enjoyable, and memorable.”
“I have enjoyed Global buddies a lot this semester. I have had meet people from different parts of the world and made a lot of new friends. I have enjoyed the activities that were planned for us and also the activities that we did as a group on our own such as going to the pub to watch football matches.”