What is UEA Friends?

UEA Friends is aimed at giving new international students the opportunity to link up with current UEA students. We want to help international students feel welcome and settled in their new environment. UEA Friends offers a friendly point of contact for questions and support during their first weeks at UEA, such as the best places to shop, where to go to the cinema, etc.
 

New International Students

What to expect as a Friend: 

• Welcome reception to meet your UEA buddy.
• Weekly meetings for 6 weeks with your UEA Buddy and other UEA Friends.
• Email advice if required.

For new International Students arriving at UEA for the next academic semester and interested in requesting a UEA Buddy, please complete the application form online and return it to us at isat@uea.ac.uk.
 

Download a UEA Friends Request Form

This is for new international students who want to request a UEA Buddy.

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Want to volunteer to become a UEA Buddy?

Are you a current UEA student interested in becoming a UEA Buddy? You will need to complete the UEA Buddy application form online and return it to us at isat@uea.ac.uk. Or drop it into the Dean of Students’ Office on campus.

Download a UEA Buddy Application Form - This is for returning students wanting to be a volunteer.

As a UEA Buddy participating in this scheme, it’s a great opportunity to share cultures and experiences and it is a very good addition to your CV. It proves to a future employer that the applicant has developed personal and life skills while at university and that they are a committed person.

Also, we are pleased to be able to announce that participation in this scheme will make students eligible for a Volunteers Award, depending on how many hours of volunteering are provided, see http://www.ueastudent.com/volunteer/union-volunteers

You would need to commit to the following:

• Attendance at one, 2 hour, induction session (run by the International Student Advisory Team, ISAT)
• Attendance at the welcome session and at least one other social event early in the autumn semester.
• Weekly meetings (1hour approx) with your international friend(s) for 6 weeks.
• Email advice as necessary.
• Provide feedback to ISAT at the end of the scheme.

If you have any problems in your role as a UEA buddy, the ISA Team is available to help and support you. You can contact us by popping in to the Dean of Students’ Office or telephoning on 01603 592761, or emailing us at isat@uea.ac.uk