The Buddy System will help with acclimatization at a foreign university as part of EUPeace

18 representatives from seven foreign universities met at UWB with International Office colleagues to share best practices in establishing the Buddy System. As part of the EUPeace alliance, it supports students before arrival and during their stay at a partner university.

The second workshop of the European University Alliance EUPeace at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (UWB) marked the beginning of the alliance’s Buddy System. Participants shared best practices in establishing this student organization and discussed ways to improve the quantity, quality, and efficiency of international mobility. The meeting took place from January 22nd to 24th 2025.

The Buddy System within the EUPeace alliance aims to support students and staff before their arrival and during their stay at one of the partner universities, helping them acclimate more easily. The workshop was attended by representatives from the UWB International Office along with 18 colleagues from seven foreign universities, including the University of Marburg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Comillas Pontifical University, Çukurova University, University of Limoges, University of Sarajevo, and University of Mostar. Colleagues from the University of Calabria joined the program online.

The workshop, part of the work package Facilitating Mobility, was introduced by Magdalena Rousová, a member of the EUPeace Steering Committee and Head of the UWB International Office. Contributions were then presented by students from the Erasmus Student Network (ESN UWB Pilsen), who shared both positive and negative experiences related to supporting international exchange students at UWB. They also proposed solutions to common issues faced by students before and during their stay, such as various issues at dormitories, or difficulties in pairing Czech and international students due to language preferences.

Students from ESN Sarajevo joined the discussion online, presenting activities they organize for international students, including trips, sports events, and cultural evenings.

The discussion on the development of the EUPeace Buddy System was followed by planning specific steps for the upcoming year. These include selecting suitable students to lead the Buddy System at member universities that do not yet have such a program, as well as creating a dedicated website. This website will be hosted on the EUPeace alliance platform, enabling local and international students to connect and pair up.

As part of the program, representatives from the University of Sarajevo met with the leadership of the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at UWB to explore expanding collaboration through the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility. A Vice-Rector from the University of Sarajevo also expressed interest in the activities of the UWB Knowledge Transfer Office. Additionally, discussions were held regarding strengthening cooperation between the University of Limoges and the UWB Faculty of Applied Sciences.

More information on mobility programs and the evolving EUPeace Buddy System can be found on the Mobility Portal, which is part of the EUPeace website.

The workshop was organized by the UWB International Office as part of Work Package WP4 Facilitating Mobility, which focuses on supporting and developing international mobility for students and staff.