Buddy System

The Buddy System is an online platform matching international students and local students for a buddy programme. The platform is developed centrally and provides management access to local stakeholders responsible for organising the arrival and integration of international students.

After matching them, international students can benefit from a personalised welcome phase, through a privileged contact with their mentor, and therefore receive enhanced support for administrative procedures, personalised visits of the city and place of study/work. To sum up they are supported whenever needed. The Buddy System project develops and enhances a web-platform focusing both on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of managing a buddy system.

The Buddy System’s objectives are: to improve the integration of students doing their academic exchange abroad; to  internationalise campuses and local student life, while easing interactions, open mindsets and increasing mutual understanding; to strengthen partnerships welcoming international students (universities and associations) and allow them to develop long-lasting relationships between students.

Partners: IxESN France, European University Foundation, ESN International, the University of Vienna, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Hertfordshire.