The International Buddy Program is pairing American students and new international students in order to create a personal bond between different backgrounds.
As the students are paired up, they are able to get the best of both worlds. Through the program, international students will be introduced to the American culture. It will also ease their transition into college by having a social connection with someone who is familiar with the area and campus.
Last semester, IBP began its trial stage, experiencing several bumps along the way. About 20 international students and 35 American students participated in the program in the spring.
Over the summer, Quen Vong, the senior sociology and Chinese major who started the program, had more time for the paperwork and fall-semester scheduling. Now, the program has doubled its number of volunteers.
This semester, IBP coordinators want to progress from those little bumps and continue working at a successful program. Students are required to send e-mails and attend at least two events during the semester.
The events include giving the foreign exchange students a taste of U.S. sports and Cal State Long Beach, as well as bonfires and potlucks. In order to have a productive event, the International Buddy Program combined some events with the Study Abroad Club and the International Student Association.
Vong is also the vice president of the Study Abroad Club. She studied abroad during her junior year in Taiwan as she learned to improve her Chinese. During her experience in Taiwan, she was set up with a few mentors, who showed her the ropes around Taiwan. Because of the help she received, her typical life in the U.S. was different as she transitioned into another country’s lifestyle.
“I want to mimic their mentoring program,” Vong said.
Her envisions became true as she develop the IBP.
With the help of Ine Williams, international student adviser in the Center for International Education, Vong was able to pursue the developments of IBP.
Emily Hogan, a first-year mathematics graduate student, enjoyed being a part of IBP last semester and is participating again this year. As she was completing her undergraduate studies in German and mathematics, she was paired with a Brazilian student who was previously enrolled in German classes.
“I helped him with his American pronunciation,” Hogan said.
Hogan also said she has a good connection with her buddy and has spent time with him outside of school. They went to Six Flags together and he once invited her to his birthday party.
“He showed me videos of the carnivals back home and let me listen to his Brazilian music,” Hogan said.
For more information about applying to the program, e-mail [email protected].