Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO The Buddy System at University of Oslo A presentation by Maria Lind Jarsve, Higher Executive Officer, Coordinator of the Buddy System.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO What is the Buddy System The Buddy System is a scheme offered to all new students at the University of Oslo. The function of the Buddy system is to help new students to establish both a social and an academic network. The program take place in the first two weeks in the start of the studies.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO The organization of the Buddy System We include all first degree students and all incoming students, including Master students. The Buddy System is coordinated by three volunteer students, who are responsible for recruiting and training the buddies, and for planning and arranging events during the start of the semester. I coordinate the volunteer students and enable them through training and support to do their job.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO Organization The volunteer students collaborate with the student organizations in order to offer the new students the widest variety of events. The new students are divided in Buddy Groups consisting of new students from the same program of studies (home grown students) or Faculty (international students). Each group is led by two buddies, from the same Program or Faculty as the new students. Around 800 buddies sign up every year.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO The Welcome ceremony Each year the University welcomes new students, both home grown and international, with a welcoming ceremony. The Buddy groups meet before the ceremony in a Buddy ”hook up”, and they partcipate in the ceremony together. Before the Welcome Ceremony

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO What, why and how? A buddy is a student at the UiO. In most cases the Buddies are the first personal encounter the new students have with the University. The Buddies provide information and help create a sense of security and a good student environment for the new students.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO Buddies main tasks Introducing new students to UiO. Help them bond, both social and academic. Show the new students around campus. Go to events with the group.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO Educating the Buddies We offer a two hour course in ”being a buddy” to all buddies, prior to the Welcome Ceremony. –This is not mandatory We have a mandatory information meeting the day before the Welcome Ceremony.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO Program for a two hour course About the Buddy System History Being a buddy What is a buddy? Main tasks What we expect of you as a buddy Examples of questions you should NOT answer Who are the new students? Ice breakers Buzz groups –What do you have to consider as a buddy for international students? –Cultural differences –What to do? During the start of the semester and throughout the year. Events Practical information Buddy handbook Buddy benefits

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO Home- grown students VS International students Home grown students They are a mixed group of people! 12% of the student body have minority background. Most of the students have no prior studies before taking part in the Buddy System. They are all first degree students in their first semester. International students They are a mixed group of people! They have different personalities, cultural backgrounds and religions. Most of them have been studying for a while. They are going to study different degrees: bachelor, master and PhD.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO Home- grown vs International students Home- grown students Most of them come from the area around Oslo or thereabouts. Age: Mainly between International students Many of them come from Europe and the USA through the Erasmus and other exchange programs. Some also come from other parts of the world: Africa, Asia – either self-providing students, or through bilateral agreements, NORAD and so on. Age: 19-50s (most between 20-25) Most of them do not speak Norwegian

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO Financing The University of Oslo is funding the Buddy System. We have a small budget, but by using students in the organization of the system we can stretch the money. We pay our student voulenteers a symbolic compensation. The Buddies do not get paid, they get different kind of freebies like a backpack and a t-shirt.

Maria Lind Jarsve, UiO Contact information Maria Lind Jarsve