BUDDY PROGRAM

INTERNATIONAL STAFF WEEK

June 2016

Public University of Navarra

Every year university receives…

• 180 students coming from Europe, South America, China, Japan, Australia, USA…

• They arrive in september and january to spendone o two semesters.

• In 2 groups: one week before those who attenda spanish intensive course (one week).

Website…http://www.unavarra.es/relacionesinternacionales/relaciones-internacionales-y-

movilidad/estudiantes-internacionales

To prevent …

Cultural shock at arriving toanother country due to new language, education system, cultureetc.

University …

must offer a proper and adequateissue…

University organizes a welcome program…

http://www.unavarra.es/digitalAssets/175/175801_1Programa-de-Bienvenida_EN.pdf

The first week:

3.- A guided tour of Pamplona…insergtar

4.- An excursion through Navarra…

1.- a welcome session in which provides information and orientation basically about…

• Pamplona and Navarra,

• Accomodation,

• Program studies,

• Timetables, assements

• University enrolment,

• Name of academic coordinator,

• User and password. Wifi, Portal,

• Visa, residence permit,

• Services of the university: soci8al, guidance, sports, culture etc.

• Guide for international students,

• Etc.

…ICE BREAKER COFFEE…GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER…

2.- A guided tour of the Campus…

First steps of the buddy program…

To complete these activities, the International Office launchedthe BUDDY program, in july 2014…

Previously, we´ve had ESN, but it wasn,t continous, so theuniversity decided to implement an institutional program.

Aim:

to help international students, even before their arrival, to find a proper accomodation, and make them easier to adaptto University and Pamplona. Their help would be speciallyrequired for practical issues.

http://www.unavarra.es/relacionesinternacionales/tablon-de-anuncios?contentId=221400&languageId=1

Guidelines of the buddy program:

• Buddies are students who have participated or are going to participate in an exchange program.

• Volonteer.• Each buddy helps 3/4 international students. (45 candidates)• Buddies help during two-three weeks after arrival.• Contact with incoming students before arrival to help with

accomodation.• Attend to training and welcome sessions organized by International

Office (compulsory). We offer the possibility to attend training of peer mentoring (communication competences, groups dinamics).

• Help in PRACTICAL ISSUES: accomodation, registration, visas, university services, timetables, classrooms, student card, exams, academic calendar, mobiles, bank account, shopping, etc.

• Buddies must evaluate the experience.• Help with return back home…

Steps of the program…

1st.-

In June, information open session to explain the program.

In July, International Office send an email to students who have been orare going to participate in an exchange program explaining the programan asking for applications. From this year we are going to open theprogram to other students.

The data we ask for are: exchange university, spoken languages, studies at UPNA, and academic year.

2nd.-

In August (holidays), once we receive applications (45 aprox.) we makepairs matching as far as we can universities/countries or origin and language.

Each UPNA buddy 3 or 4 mentees.

3rd.- at the same time,

• we send each incoming student the name of his/her buddy.

• we send each buddy the name of his/her international students, asking them to get in touch as soon as possible.

4th.- Training sesión before arrival…

…They meet in the welcome session …

…This day they organize the first meeting to know alltogether through a visit to the old part of Pamplona…

The future…

• Strengthen…

• Credits…

• Training in awareness and intercultural competences…

• Intercultural activities in the university…fairs, monologues, photo&video contests,

#how we see you / how you see me#

#Internationalization at home#

Evaluation: we consider it´s been a verysuccesful experience…

Now… student´s time to talk about theirexperience and activities run though Erasmus Association Pamplona (AEP)…

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!Josune Urzainki

jurzainki@unavarra.es