International Buddy Program

"It was helpful to know someone who knew Ann Arbor and could help me get oriented." - student from France

"My buddy picked me up when I arrived and took me to buy many necessary things. He also took me to watch a football game." - student from China

View more quotes from International Students

Current UM Students please click to find out more information or sign-up to be a volunteer buddy.

Incoming International Students please click to find out more information or sign up to get a buddy.

The mission of the International Buddy Program is two-fold:

• To help acclimate incoming international students to their new UM surroundings and to help make them feel integrated
• To give CoE students the opportunity to develop a more global perspective and learn about another culture

Information about the program:

Interested international students will be paired up with a UM student who volunteers to act as an International Buddy.

The most active time for buddies will be before fall classes begin, when the incoming international students first arrive on campus. They need transportation to campus from the airport, as well as help finding their way around campus, the College of Engineering, and departments. It is our hope that the buddy program will help ease this transition. Most international students arrive 1-2 weeks before the first day of classes.

Questions? Email ipe-office@umich.edu