Social mentoring for international students
The International Student Buddy Program will run from Week 1 to Week 4 of Trimester 1, 2024. Senior Buddies will offer commencing international students (Junior Buddies) social and English language support in a small group setting during the first few weeks to provide guidance and help with the transition to university life. This program will be run on the Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, and participants will also be added to a Microsoft Teams channel where Junior Buddies can connect with others in the program.
Join the program
If you are a new international student who would like social support, sign up to receive peer-to-peer mentoring for your first four weeks at Griffith. You must be an international student, studying your full degree at Griffith University in your first trimester of study.
What you will gain:
- A weekly support network to guide you through Week 1–4
- Access to a larger network of 150+ Senior and Junior Buddies
- Make new friends!
- Learn about life in Australia
- Practice English and enjoy great conversations!
- Get advice and information from current Griffith Uni students
- Attend fun events and activities (run by the Griffith Mates)
Please note: Junior Buddy registrations open on Monday 26 February at 9am AEST and close on Friday 1 March at 12pm AEST.
You MUST attend the Buddy Meet & Match on Monday 4 March from 1–3 pm at the Gold Coast or Nathan campus to participate in the International Student Buddy program.
Buddy Program Event Schedule
We recommend attending at least 3 meetings or events with your buddy group to get the most out of the program.
Program Launch
Buddy Meet & Match | Gold Coast and Nathan
Monday 4 March, 1-3 pm
Meet the senior buddies, share your interests and get matched with your new buddy group!
It is compulsory to attend this event to participate in the International Student Buddy Program.
Weeks 1 - 3
Following the Buddy Meet and Match event, buddy groups are responsible for organising their own activities or meet ups during weeks 1-3. You are also encouraged to attend the Griffith Mates events with your Senior Buddies.
Week 4
Final week of buddy program | Gold Coast and Nathan
Thursday 28 March, 12-2 pm
Join your fellow Senior and Junior Buddies to celebrate the end of the program and the connections you have made at the start of your journey at Griffith University.
Awards will be presented to the buddies who have gone above and beyond in the program and a light lunch will be provided.
This is a great opportunity to share stories of your experiences, memorable moments and friendships you have made during your first month in Australia. It's also a great time to ask your Senior Buddies any new questions you may have about life in Australia or your continuing journey at Griffith. Make sure to exchange contact details with your new friends, and stay in touch!
Example Weekly Discussion Topics
Living In Australia
Discuss the essentials for getting started at Griffith and life in Australia.
Social Connections
Get the inside scoop on how to get involved in social activities and events on campus.
Life Hacks
Senior Buddies can share how to make budget friendly choices for students.
Cultural Exchange
Each session offers the chance to share your culture with the group.
This program is very helpful for new international students. We can talk with current Griffith students and also meet other international students. It's good opportunity to get to know Australian culture and make friends. Thanks to this program, I really enjoyed my first few weeks at Griffith University.
Yumi, Junior Buddy
I am an International student from Sri Lanka and I remember how daunting it was to move away from family, friends, and my comfort zone to a new country with new people living a different way of life. This is why I signed up to be a Senior Buddy to be able to help new International students transition into university life while reassuring them that everything will be alright and that they are not alone. I have held the role of Senior Buddy four times, and through this program I have gained friends from different parts of the world, learnt so much from them about their different cultures, and it has definitely positively impacted my leadership and communication skills. The International student buddy program is such a rewarding and great learning experience all around.
Raeezah, Senior Buddy
Being a Senior Buddy is incredibly rewarding. You can walk away with the knowledge that you actually made somebody's transition to university easier, plus you make amazing friends and often learn things from your buddies too.
Hayley, Senior Buddy