Why should you join the Buddy Scheme?

Why should you join the Buddy Scheme?

26th April 2016

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The Buddy Scheme at Sussex is managed by the Students’ Union and has been running since 2013, growing every year as more students discover its benefits. The aim of the scheme is to help new students settle in at Sussex by putting them in contact with a student who is already here. It can help to alleviate any initial worries or fears they may have, reduce culture shock and isolation, and introduces them to a friendly face before they arrive. The Buddy Scheme is open to every student at Sussex, although it tends to attract many International students, Visiting and Exchange students, and First Generation Scholars. We also encourage Postgraduates to join in. Whoever you are, wherever you come from, moving to a completely unfamiliar place can be daunting and the Buddy Scheme aims to combat this and make everyone’s experience of Sussex positive and exciting.

The Buddy Scheme is open all year round, encouraging those who may need a little extra support throughout the year to join and to treat everyone to a series of trips, activities and events. We work with Schools and departments at the University including Active US and student societies. It really is an exciting thing to be a part of either as a new student or as a Buddy Scheme Volunteer. Buddy Scheme members are treated to interesting and fun events from Bouldering (courtesy of Active US), cocktail making in Brighton, a quick game at Laserzone, ice skating at the Pavilion, to larger trips to see The Lion King or the Harry Potter Studios tour, in collaboration with our friends at the International Student Support Team.

Putting aside the exciting things on offer, the normal day to day life of meeting with your buddy is hugely beneficial; getting to know someone you may not have had a chance to otherwise, experiencing Sussex through a newcomer’s eyes put things in a different perspective, and the possibility of making a lifelong friend. Buddy Scheme Volunteers really do make a difference.

Here are some of our stories:

“I am an exchange student from Hong Kong so I thought I would join the Buddy Scheme as I didn’t know anyone when I first came. My buddy is so kind, she brought me around the city, introduced me to her friends. We had a great tour around the city, enjoyed the delicious seafood lunch at Regency Square. In Chinese New Year, she even brought her friends to my hall with all ingredients and cooking utensils, we made dumplings and turnip cakes together, I wasn’t lonely because of her. I am grateful for everything she did for me.” – New student, 2016

“My buddy is simply amazing! She welcomed me with open arms when I got here and has truly added to my experience at Sussex in the most positive manner. She not only took on the role of a buddy and getting me acclimated to my classes and the environment, but she became a true friend and has really made me appreciate life here at Sussex. Thanks to her I have really adjusted and settled in here and I am so excited to make the most of being here and in Brighton.” – New student, 2016

“I believe the buddy scheme is an amazing initiative. I was paired with a lovely girl who will be undoubtedly be a friend for life which is an amazing reward for volunteering my time”. – Buddy Volunteer, 2016

“I have found the scheme to be so helpful for the students and myself! It gave me the chance to meet new people from all over the world and learn from them as much as I hopefully helped them get to grips with a new city and experience. I would definitely recommend new students to sign up to the scheme and existing students to volunteer!” – Buddy Volunteer, 2016

The Buddy Scheme is recruiting now for Buddy Volunteers for academic year 2016/17. To find out more and to sign up, visit our website: https://www.buddyscheme.com/

To hear more from those on the scheme, watch our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeL6KYYkryc


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