buddies handbook
DESCRIPTION
Buddies handbook 2013-2014!TRANSCRIPT
Welcome and thank you for
volunteering to be an Edinburgh Buddy,
As an Edinburgh Buddy you will help new international students
adjust to life at the University of Edinburgh. We believe that
providing peer support to new international students before their
arrival and in their first month is crucial to a quality student
experience. Your role will be to use your knowledge and
experience of life at the University of Edinburgh to support them
and help them settle in here in the first semester.
As students of the University of Edinburgh you are full of
great tips and information for new students, but we don’t expect
you to know everything. This handbook is designed to help you
out. It contains contacts, pieces of advice and support so that you
can help aid a smooth transition for the new incoming international
students. Treat is a reference tool for all those ‘What do I do if…?’
questions.
We are here to help you in any way that we can, so please
feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas. We are really
glad that you have chosen to be an Edinburgh Buddy and hope
that you really enjoy your experience.
Here’s to a great semester,
The Edinburgh Buddies Team
The Edinburgh Buddies Team
Mimi Watts Edinburgh Buddies Captain
I’m Mimi. I’ve just graduated in Neuroscience from the University of Edinburgh and now I work at EUSA on the Peer Support Team. I love to travel and I took the opportunity to study abroad as part of my degree. Having spent a year in Canada at McGill University I know a lot about the awesome/scary/incredible elements of being a visiting student in another country. I’m so excited to be joining the Buddies Team and am looking forward to helping you support others on their individual exchange adventures in Edinburgh.
Mari Wøien Edinburgh Buddies Captain
My name is Mari, and I’m one of EUSAs Global Assistants. I’m a forth-year International Relations student in love with Edinburgh, people and the world. I was an exchange student in Brazil at the age of 17, and it has been an important element in my life, shaping the person I’ve become. It has left me feel more empowered than ever! I think that Buddies is a fantastic opportunity for students to share experiences; experiences that will enhance both home students and international students’ time at our university. Facebook: Mari Woien EUSA Email: [email protected]
Who are the buddies?
Edinburgh Buddies are current students are current students who have
returned from studying abroad.
International Buddies are new international visiting students arriving in
September.
You as an Edinburgh Buddy:
This is an informal scheme so there is no required time commitment.
We do recommend that you meet weekly for the first month. EUSA Global will
be organising events each month for all Buddies and you are welcome to
come with your own Buddies or on your own to meet others. It’s a great
opportunity to get to know others in the scheme on a regular basis.
You don’t need to know everything.
You are full of great tips and information for new students, but we don’t expect
you to know everything. If you have any questions you can always contact the
Buddy Team ([email protected]), EUSA’s Advice Place (based at
Potterrow).
We try our best to match you based on the profile you created, but no
promises!
All Buddies are matched based on the information listed in your completed
profile so the more you fill out your profile, the better. We try our best to match
you based on the listed criteria, but we can't always accommodate everyone's
requests. Edinburgh Buddies may be matched with more than one
International Buddy, depending on your preference.
TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION
Anyone who provides immigration advice in the UK must be fully trained and authorised
to do so. Only staff in the International Office is permitted to provide specialist
immigration advice in areas of the immigration system such as student visas, working
in the UK during and after your studies, settlement and getting married in the UK.
What we don’t expect from you:
To pick up your Buddy from the airport!!
Become best friends (but you might!)
Solve their personal/social problems
Put yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable
Proofread their work
Be on ‘on call’
Offer money, skills, or an uncomfortable amount of time
Advice on accommodation, immigration, careers, academic etc. The Advice
Place and International Office are here to help
Your role:
Welcome your International Buddies to Edinburgh and the University
Signpost any services they may require
Offer support and encouragement
Help them find activities they may be interested in
Respect confidentiality, unless you feel that your buddy is at risk to themselves
or others
Most of our Buddies events will be posted on our Facebook- group:
Buddies Events
Edinburgh Buddies 2013-2014
Buddies Training Day Want to be the perfect Buddy? Our training day will make sure you feel confident about your Edinburgh Buddy-role. You will only have to attend one of the following days.
Friday, 6th of September, Monday 9th of September
JCMB, room 3217: 2:30-5pm
Buddies Meet and Greet
A first chance to meet both Edinburgh and International Buddies
Wednesday, 11th of September: 7pm
Teviot: 7pm
Buddies does Speed Lingua Know other languages? Want to exchange it and practice another? Speed Lingua is a great way to practise and meet students from all around the world.
Friday 29th of November
Teviot, New Amphion: 6pm- 10pm
For all other events, please join our Buddies 2013-2014 group on
Facebook. We will also be sending out emails in advance of upcoming
events. It is your responsibility to ensure that the message has also
reached your international buddy.
Useful contact details The following pages are filled with useful contact details which may be
useful to you and your International buddies.
Support Services:
Edinburgh Buddies Team!
The Edinburgh Buddies team is here for you! Let us know if you have any
questions or want to tell us how you are doing.
Phone: 0131 650 9394
Email: [email protected]
General Support:
Online guide for new students at the University
Check out the University’s thorough guide for new students.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/staff-students/students/new-students
Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA)
EUSA is an integral part of student life and is there for students from the very
start. We provide information to help you before you come here, support and
advice when you get here, and help you to settle in. From weekly events and
bars to representation and student support (not to mention a vibrant society
and volunteering community), we are here for you!
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk
The Advice Place
EUSA’s Advice Place is an impartial, accessible, free, confidential advisory
service for all University of Edinburgh students irrespective of race, gender,
sexual orientation, disability, religious belief or age.
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/advice
The Academic Advice Team
EUSA's Academic Advice team provides independent, confidential advice and
support to students who are facing academic difficulties. These can be
anything from concerns about programme to academic appeals and
complaints.
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/advice/academic-advice/
International Office
The International Office supports University staff and offers advice to
enquirers, applicants, new students and current students who are from
outside the UK. The International Office have advisers who offer immigration
advice.
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/international-office
English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC)
ELTC offers free academic English tuition, self-study materials, and advice for
international students requiring help with their English language
http://www.ials.ed.ac.uk/
The Chaplaincy Centre
The Chaplaincy Team offer confidential non-judgemental support for students
and staff to help deal with life's questions, explorations and times of crisis.
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/chaplaincy/home
Student Disability Service
The Student Disability Service supports disabled students. Our main focus is
providing advice and support. The students we support include students with
dyslexia, mental health issues and students on the autistic spectrum, as well
as physical and sensory impairments.
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/disability-office
Counselling
A confidential counselling service is offered to all students of the University.
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-counselling/home
Health Centre
The University's Health Centre is an independent National Health Service
partnership and offers full GP services to patients who live within the practice
area, and who choose to register with the practice.
www.health-service.ed.ac.uk
Career Services
The Careers Service provides careers advice and information on current
vacancies.
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/careers
Academic Support:
Institute for Academic Development (IAD)
Supporting success: IAD helps students to succeed in their studies. This
includes: student study skills workshops, courses and other learning
opportunities about information and IT Skills and an innovative learning week.
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-development
Peer Proofreading
EUSA runs a volunteer-powered proofreading service for non-native English
speakers.
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/proofreading
Get Involved:
EUSA Societies
With nearly 300 student societies at EUSA, Edinburgh is quite possibly the
most exciting place to be... ever!
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/societies
EUSA Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to get to know your local community, enhance
your skills, do something worthwhile and have fun all at the same time!
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/volunteering
Tandem Language Programme
Tandem is a popular language exchange programme run by EUSA and is
designed to help you meet people and learn languages in a fun, relaxed,
social environment without tutors, exams or lectures.
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/tandem
International Student Centre (ISC)
The International Student Centre is a place for all international students to
meet and have fun. The ISC runs trips, tours and events, ensuring students
receive a warm welcome.
www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/student-life/isc
Edinburgh University Sports Union
Edinburgh University Sports Union is the student-run body for the organisation
of sport at Edinburgh University. There are 63 sports clubs ranging from
Football and Hockey to Rowing and Fencing.
www.eusu.ed.ac.uk