The Buddy program
Every year, approximately 700-800 students enroll in the Buddy Program. The purpose of the Buddy Program is to ensure that newbies feel welcomed and secure in their new environment.
What is the Buddy Program?
As a buddy you will be matched with a new international student (newbie). The pairings are based on a number of choices you make in the registration.
Being a buddy comes with many benefits. You get the chance to connect with international students. As a buddy, you can expand your network, improve your language skills, and have fun along the way!
Maybe you have been on exchange? Worked abroad? Perhaps is your plan to work in another country after completed studies? In any case, international experiences are valuable.
As a buddy, you answer questions about being a student at Lnu, student life etc. Think back to how you felt when you were a newcomer, and how things might have turned out without support. As a newbie you will discover many things that are different comparing to your home country. Your buddy may support you with that.
Linnaeus University welcomes students from all over the world: exchange students, program students, and students taking independent courses. An exchange student stays for a maximum of 1 year, while program students stay for 2-3 years. You become a buddy for one semester at a time. As a matched newbie you will officially have your buddy for one semester, but if you enjoy spending time together you will likely remain friends also afterwards.
Lnu gives merit points for different engagements on your free time and being a buddy is one of them. After one semester as a buddy you may get a certificate that you may then use when applying for exchange. merit points for various tasks you can do in your free time, and Buddy is one of them. Som buddy kan du alltså få ett intyg som du sen kan använda i ansökan till utbytesstudier.
To become a buddy a fall semester, it's good to register in the spring and vice versa. If you' will begin studies at Lnu fall 2025, a new international student it is recommended to register during spring 2025.
Are you done with your studies Done with your studies, but will stay in Växjö and would like to continue to meet international students? Friend Family Kronoberg .
Hur anmälan går till
- Register by clicking on the green button below. It is easiest to do from a computer. Fill out all the information, & send.
- An automated confirmation is sent from studcoord(@)linnek.se
- We may reach out to ask you to add info to your registration. Keep an eye on the email used upon registration to the Buddy Program.
- You get an invite (by email) to an introduction that could be held physically, or on Teams. This is your chance to ask questions.
- Do you have any questions now? You are welcome to use the form at the bottom of the page.
- The matching result along with some practical info is sent to the email you used to register.
What happens next
Vanligtvis görs två matchnings-omgångar: Om du är buddy en hösttermin sker 1:a omgången i juni/juli och 2:a i augusti. If you are a Buddy in the spring semester, round 1 takes place in December and round 2 in January.
When you have been informed of who you have been matched with - it is up to you if you're interested in more than one newbie - do a little research about the newbie's home country. Then you initiate contact. And answer any questions and potential concerns that the newbie may have.
Once the student is in Kalmar or Växjö, suggest to meet for a fika or a beer. Have fun, learn something new! If your newbie goes home after one semester and you want to be a buddy again, make a new registration for the relevant semester.
