Arriving in a new city is certainly exciting and scary at the same time. It is easy for students to feel alone and isolated or, inevitably for locals, to only socialise with those they know well. The VUB ‘Buddy System’ aims to bridge the gap between the ‘foreign’ and the ‘local’, and is an excellent opportunity to bring all students of different cultures and walks of life together.
What is a VUB Buddy exactly?
A VUB student who helps new international or Belgian students discover and get settled in Brussels, answers their questions about life on campus, takes them to parties and helps them socialise, meet new people and partake in various fun events. They’ve been through it before and have valuable experience they can share with newcomers. It may be one of the best ways to help students form lasting friendships with peers from all over the world.
How does it work?
At the start of the academic year ESN and IRMO will pair off and bring new buddies together face to face for the first time. The buddies will form groups and be invited to join events and activities throughout the semester, whilst encouraged to organise their own group outings. These can be anything, from a dinner to a tour around Brussels or a nearby town, to going for a drink or a day of shopping. The sky is the limit, and aim is to help students integrate as much as possible.
What are the benefits in having a buddy when you’re new in town and the VUB?
Wim (IRMO): On the one hand you’re encouraged to integrate and have contact with locals, otherwise you might end up interacting only with other international students. It is important to get a local perspective to get the feeling you’re studying here and not just visiting, and get to know the Belgians and Belgian culture. You get good tips on living in Brussels, as well as studying at the VUB. International buddies also learn how to deal with Belgium’s education system which is often different to that in their own country. Secondly, most local buddies are former students abroad who’ve just come back, they really know what it’s like to arrive in a new city and have to get settled or deal with the local administration.
What is the most fun experience you've heard a buddy recount?
Stefanie (ESN VUB EhB): As we are matching the buddy groups according to each person’s interest, it is likely that they become closer friends – both the international and the local students. They stick together, go on trips, parties, courses, take part in each other’s lives during their stay. But the real success for us is to see that after finishing their studies abroad, they still visit each other in different countries, and get to know more about each other’s culture and home. This is what we are here for: to create lifelong friendships.
Here is more info and testimonials of former buddies.
Students can sign up for a VUB buddy here.