Welcoming our new international students to Brookes this January
Starting at university can be a challenging time, especially if you are also travelling to a new country. Being part of Global Buddies helps make this experience a positive and rewarding one.
The Global Buddies programme brings together our current UK and international students with newly arrived international students. Our current students can share their experience and provide tips about how to settle into life at Brookes and our new international students will share their unique experiences and culture.
There will be a number of free and subsidised organised events (see below) that you can go to with your Buddies as well arranging your own activities.
This is a great way to make friends from all over the globe, and being part of a peer mentoring scheme looks great on your CV.
Sign up now to be a Global Buddy this January
To participate in this scheme, you will be expected to:
- Attend the welcome event on Wednesday 30 January from 17:30 to 19:30, Headington Campus; and current students must also attend the training session Wednesday 30 January from 16:30 to 17:30.
- Keep in contact with your buddies at least once a week
- Meet up with your buddies at least twice
- Be inclusive of everyone within your group
- Choose appropriate events to do with your buddies. Remember not all students are comfortable going to clubs and pubs
- Be ready to share your culture with others and have an open mind so you can learn from your buddies
Quotes from Global Buddies
Being a Global Buddy allowed me to explore my curiosity about British culture as well as the various international backgrounds of my buddies. This also enabled me think about my own identity. This is an amazing system to ‘bridge’ ties and bond regardless of the nation, and I am proud of being part of the scheme as it gave me the chance to spice up my life here at Brookes.
When I first arrived in oxford last year, finding my way around university, the oxford city, the different culture and studies was challenging. This is why I became so excited to be a part of the global buddies program. I was paired with two other lovely buddies who are kind and have big hearts and five delightful students joined us on the introduction day. We planned meet ups almost every week. We would visit different restaurants or go on tours organised by the program. I really want to thank the co-ordinators of global buddy for giving me a chance to help and introducing me to so many wonderful friends. I would love to be a part of this again.