For Current UM Students
Thank you for your interest in the International Buddy Program!
| Undergraduate Students: Sign up to be a UM Volunteer Buddy by completing the Current UM Student Sign-up Form online. |
| Graduate Students: Sign up to be an international mentor through the Rackham I-Connect Program. |
One of the goals of the Buddy Program (and the Rackham I-Connect Program) is to help incoming International Students adjust to life here at UM. To assist them during this process, we ask you to:
1. Contact your Buddy: Email your International Buddy during the summer to introduce yourself. If you have a nickname that you prefer to be called, please share it with you buddy. Please also inform your buddy of what gender you are. Remember, names that imply a specific gender in one culture might not imply the same gender in another culture.
2. Airport Pick-Up: Find out when your buddy plans to arrive, and assist with arranging transportation from the airport to campus. If possible, please arrange to pick your buddy up from the airport, and help him/her get settled into housing. Imagine how grateful your buddy will be if you or a friend arrange to greet him/her at the airport!
Most international students will be arriving for orientation 1-2 weeks before classes begin. If you cannot make arrangements to meet your buddy at the airport, assist him/her in making the reservation for other transportation. Some suggestions for transportation from Detroit Metro Intl. Airport are available at: http://www.umich.edu/%7Einfo/transportation.html
3. Housing: Please ask your buddy if he/she needs assistance in arranging housing. Most Freshman students will already have housing reserved in one of the UM Residence Halls. However, UM housing is unavailable to most Graduate students. http://www.offcampus.housing.umich.edu/lt/general.cfm
4. Upon Arrival: Freshman students should be registered for the ONSP International Student Orientation. Graduate students and any other international students not planning to attend the ONSP Orientation are required to check in at the UM International Center on Central Campus within 24 hours of their arrival. Once your buddy has settled into their housing, please assist him/her in finding the International Center (after a good night's sleep of course!) http://www.umich.edu/~icenter/
5. North Campus/UM Bus Tour: Give your buddy a brief North Campus tour. At this time, please orient your buddy to the UM bus system. UM student, faculty, and staff can now ride Ann Arbor's AATA fixed bus routes for free (simply show the driver your MCard).
6. Groceries: Most International Buddies will need to purchase personal items and food within their first few days here. If possible, invite your buddy to go with you to Meijers or Target.
7. Books: Take your buddy to the bookstore, and explain the UM system for buying books, course packs, etc.
8. Welcome Reception: Attend the Buddy Welcome Reception with your buddy, if possible. This reception is usually held the week before classes begin.
9. Buddy Events: Attend 2-3 social events during the academic year with your buddy.
10. Weekly Get-Together: Keep in touch with your buddy via e-mail or a regular lunch meeting to find out how he/she is settling in, and learn about his/her home country.
Getting Involved:
If you are an undergraduate interested in becoming a buddy, please fill out the questionnaire below. Graduate students should sign up for the Rackham International Mentoring Program.
Although it is our intention to include all interested parties, due to the nature of pairing and its number dependency, completing this form does not guarantee you will be matched with an International Buddy. Students who are willing to assist a buddy from any country are more likely to be matched.
- Undergraduate Students: Current UM Student Online Sign-up Form
- Graduate Students: Rackham I-Connect Program
Sign up today!
