*In light of recent developments regarding the Covid-19 situation, the Buddy Program will most likely look differently than previous years. We will be following government guidelines, which means that certain events such as the Buddy Meetup may have to take place online. All participants will be updated via e-mail.*
Every semester ISN Amsterdam has a Buddy Program. In this program we match local students up with international students. This is a great way to become part of an international environment and generally does not take up that much of your time! As a local student, depending on the amount of sign-ups, you get approximately five international students to take under your wing. Don’t let this number scare you though, from experience we know that the international students are not demanding. So don’t worry about your studies or busy social lives suffering under this commitment!
Most international students who come to study in Amsterdam do not know much about the city except for the typical touristy stereotypes. You could help them buy their (in some cases: very first) bike, share your knowledge on studying at your university and take them to discover the hidden treasures of Amsterdam. What type of buddy you want to be is completely up to you. You could meet up for coffee or drinks, have dinners or go for a stroll around town with your buddies. Who knows, you might get a good friendship out of the experience!
After you sign up, we will match you up with a few international students and provide you with their contact information. At the start of the semester in January 2021, ISN Amsterdam will host a meet-up with all participants of the Buddy Program. We also organize two or three Buddy Activities that you and your buddies can join, these will be announced at the start of the semester so you can mark the dates in your planners!
We try to match you up to the best of our abilities, however, it might also happen that there is not necessarily a ‘click’ or that one of your buddies is not responsive. This is one of the reasons why we give you a group of buddies instead of only one. However, do let us know if one of your buddies does not respond at all. And no worries if your buddies are not as responsive as you would like, you are more than welcome at all of our Buddy Activities, other events and borrels where you will definitely be able to meet other international students!
Please note: you don’t have to be Dutch to become a local buddy!