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 Oxford Brookes University. 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 University!
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 few 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 Oxford Brookes and Oxford, and new international students will share their unique experiences and culture.
After registrations close, the Global Buddies Coordinators will match 1 Mentor with a small group of Buddies based on common interests. You will then meet up with your Mentor for the first time at the Welcome Event in week 2. Each group, led by a Mentor, will attend activities and events together throughout the semester which may be events organised by the Global Buddies Coordinators and/or your own activities.
- Read all the information available on this webpage before signing up to ensure the programme is right for you.
- Complete the Registration Form below. Please note, the forms for Buddies (new students) and Mentors (current students) are different so make sure you complete the one applicable to you.
- After completing your registration form, you will receive an email within 2 weeks from us which you will need to respond to in order to complete your registration.
Registrations for January 2025 will open on 2 December.
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 for January 2025 will open on 2 December.
You must be able to attend the compulsory training on Wednesday 22 January, 15:30 - 16:40 and the Welcome Event on Tuesday 4 February, 18.00 - 19.30. If this clashes with your lectures, then please email us.
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.
Buddies
- Receive a Certificate of Participation (you will need to write a 200-word paragraph and send 3 photos with your group doing different activities)
- Prize for most engaged group.
Mentor
- Receive a Certificate of Participation (you will need to write a 200-word paragraph and send 3 photos with your group doing different activities)
- Prize for most engaged group
- Mentors Skills Session - How to Sell YOU and Your Skills to Employers with a Winning CV. This will be added to your certificate if you attend
- A prize for the best Mentor (nominations from Buddies)
- BrookesEDGE certificate if you complete the required number of hours.
More details will be provided after joining the programme.
| Week / Date | Activity |
|---|---|
Week 1 Tuesday 24 September, 17.00 - 18.00 On campus | 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. |
| Week 2 Tuesday 1 October, 18.00 – 19.30 On campus | Compulsory Welcome Event It’s time to meet your group! |
Week 3 Tuesday 8 October, 17.00 - 19.00 JHB 408 (Snow Room) | Board game event Have fun playing games and getting to know other Buddies and Mentors! Refreshments provided. This is a FREE event however booking is recommended as there are limited spaces available. You can book your place at this event on the online shop. You are welcome to turn up at the event without a booking, however priority will be given to those who have booked a place. Any available spaces after this, will be offered on a first come, first served basis. |
Week 5 Thursday 24 October, 18.00 - 19.00 Oxford Ice Rink, OX1 1RX | Ice Skating Join other International Students with 1 hour of ice-skating at Oxford Ice Rink. 6pm-7pm - early arrival to arrange skates is essential! Price: £5 (discounted ticket), book tickets on the online shop. |
| Week 7 (only for Mentors) TBC | Mentor Skills Session - How to Sell YOU and Your Skills to Employers with a Winning CV 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 Thursday 21 November, 18.00 - 19.30 COSMO Oxford | Awards Dinner Join us at COSMO's all you can eat world buffet for dinner and an evening of celebration as the Global Buddies programme begins to come to a close. We will celebrate your participation in the programme with awards for the 'Most engaged group' and 'Best mentor' as nominated for by the buddies! Price: £10 discounted ticket, booking essential. Tickets available on the online shop. |
“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.”