Buddy Programme

What is the Buddy programme?

The Buddy programme is a programme run by the International Student Organisation ESN Twente and the Student Union. It is designed to help new incoming students adapt to their new lives in the Netherlands. New students will be matched with the ‘Buddies’ that have lived in the Netherlands for at least 6 months for the first 10 weeks of the semester. There will be a wide
range of fun events held over the course of the Buddy programme that will allow new students
to meet new friends with their Buddies. The Buddies will share their experience with new
students and attend Buddy events.

I'm a new incoming student looking for a Buddy

I'm an existing student looking to be a Buddy

New to the Netherlands?

Buddy programme

Fill out the form below so that we can match you with your Buddy. Once you have been
matched you will be put in touch with your Buddy so that you can begin to find out more about
your life in the Netherlands.

If you have any questions about the programme feel free to contact us here.

Pick-up service

Furthermore, the Buddy Committee, ESN Twente and the Student Union are organising a
pick-up service. Volunteers from these organisations will meet you at Enschede station to give
you a warm welcome to the Netherlands. Interested? Follow the link below to find out more.

Interested in becoming a Buddy?

Thank you for considering being a Buddy! Past Buddies will agree that there is much to learn from being involved in the programme and being exposed to different cultures. As a Buddy, you will be linked to a group of international students who you will guide through the Netherlands and help to get familiar with the UT community.

Fill in the form below to register your interest in becoming a Buddy. Before the programme, there will be two training opportunities, one before the summer and one after the summer. You must attend one of these sessions. You will be supported through the process by the Buddy Committee and ESN Twente.

To introduce the students to the UT community, think of activities such as taking your matched students for an evening with your roommates, taking them to one of your sports practices or something requested by the student. They might be interested in some kind of association, so help them out and accompany the student to these activities. Additionally, the collaboration with ESN Twente will allow for extra fun activities for both you and the students you are matched with over the 10 week programme. Most of these events and activities will be free for you as a Buddy thanks to the Student Union!

Although the Buddy programme mainly focuses on getting familiar with the UT community, the student may very well ask you about opening a bank account or their visa. Of course, we do not expect you to know all this and therefore, you can refer to the travel guide, or ask the Buddy Committee.

Expectations:

Available during one of the Buddy Trainings.
You will be matched before the Kick-In. Available for questions before the start of the Kick-In is preferred.
You as a Buddy are expected to be available in the first module and to actively help the student.
Besides availability via WhatsApp or different media, it is expected that you are available for one activity per week.

For questions, please feel free to contact us here.