Become a Buddy Leader

Buddy Leaders are friendly faces who provide support and guidance to new international students. You will help new international students settle in, not only to university life, but to a new country. 

This role is unpaid and considered volunteering. It will not count towards your 20 hours per week work limit if you are a Student visa holder. 

As a Buddy Leader, you will:

• Support a small group of new students (your Buddies) as they prepare to travel to York and settle into university life during Semester 1.
• Create and facilitate a group chat where your Buddies can get to know each other.
• Monitor the group chat and answer any questions your Buddies have.
• Meet your Buddy group on campus and bring them to the International Welcome Party on 20 September 2026.
• Schedule at least two catch-ups with your Buddies in person or via Zoom. This could include bringing them to our weekly International Student Socials.
• Check how your Buddies are settling into life at university.
• Signpost your Buddies to university departments and services that may be useful.
• Encourage your Buddies to attend International Community events.

Role eligibility

To be eligible for the Buddy Leader role, you need to:

• be a full-time international or home student
• be studying a full-time course at the University of York and will still be a student at York in the 2026/27 academic year, OR a master's student completing in September 2026
• complete the Buddy Leader online VLE training module and attend a one-hour Zoom training session in the summer semester
• attend the International Welcome Party on Sunday 20 September

Once appointed, you will need to complete a compulsory online training module by 31 July 2026. This training will cover a range of issues which Buddies could face. The online training module should take no more than 1 hour for you to complete.

You will also be required to attend a live training session over Zoom. This session will be scheduled for the first week of August 2026.

You will have the support of the International Communities Team throughout your recruitment, training and time spent volunteering as a Buddy Leader.

As well as the satisfaction you will feel from helping new international students settle into life and study at York, you will also:

• meet and get to know other students from across the University and from other countries and cultures 
• find out more about the University, including support and opportunities available to all students
• have the flexibility to carry out this voluntary role around any other commitments you have
• be involved in welcome events for new international students
• receive a reference and a certificate from the International Communities team

In addition, you will be able to develop and practise many transferable skills that will enhance your employability. These include skills in: 

• decision making
• verbal and written communication
• problem solving
• time management
• using your initiative
• relationship building

The Careers and Placements team offers useful advice on developing and presenting your skills. Have a look at:

• Your employability skills for more information about valuable skills and how to develop them 
• How to write a CV for advice on presenting your skills and experience within your CV or job/course applications