Independent University Newspaper
Copenhagen Business School

Popular searches:

Independent University Newspaper

Copenhagen Business School

Six good reasons to become a Buddy

Becoming a part of the Buddy Program doesn't only including being a guide in the city. Friends come with it, writes Caroline Sølver, who's part of the Buddy Program at CBS.

Moving to Berlin on her own inspired Caroline Sølver to join the Buddy Program at CBS. She gives six good reasons for why you should join - one of them is getting friends for life.

Guide |   10. Oct 2017

Caroline Sølver

Blogger

I know what it feels like to be the new one. To not know anything or anyone. It is exhilarating, it can get lonely, and it is definitely tough. When I moved to Berlin – alone – after high school, I especially felt this way. And when I started studying at CBS last year, I definitely felt it too.

When I came across the Buddy Programme, I immediately thought that it is such a great idea. To help out and befriend the exchange students who are excited, nervous, and maybe a little lonely when they arrive to Copenhagen.

I also thought about how nice it would have been for me if I had a buddy to show me around and help me get settled when I moved to Berlin. I instantly knew that I wanted to sign up for the programme. Worst case scenario? Spending a few hours for a few days helping out the exchange student. Best case scenario? Making friends for life.

Luckily, the outcome for me was the best case scenario. I was assigned to two exchange students, one from Germany and one from Taiwan. They are both awesome and it has been so much fun showing them around Copenhagen, barbequing, and going out for coffee. I’ve even got a chance to practice my German, which is a total plus.

And now you might be thinking, “oh, this sounds fun, but why should I become a buddy?”

You will get a new aspect of culture

Most lecturers at university love to talk about culture. What it is and how it is defined. One thing is learning about culture in school…. Another thing is experiencing it in person.

What does a student from Taiwan think about the selection of food in the supermarket? And isn’t it funny that she mentions that she noticed that the Danish girls at CBS have two bags – a big one for books and a laptop, and a smaller one for the more important things such as their phone, cards, and keys? What do the exchange students think about biking, the prices in Copenhagen, and what is their party culture like at home? These are all questions that you will get answered by a buddy.

You will improve your language skills

Maybe you want to brush up your German, maybe you always dreamed about learning Chinese, or maybe you simply want to improve upon and practice your English. Having a buddy can help you with just that. And the best of it all is that you even get to ask for the nationality of your buddy, meaning that if you are looking for someone who speaks Chinese, you can apply to get a Chinese buddy. And the same goes for German or English.

You will make friends from all around the world

Another thing that you are able to do when registering to be a buddy is to add your friends and make a buddy-team. Encourage your friends to register as well, and once your buddies arrive, you can all go out together. You will have your own little group of people from all over the world and you will have a great time. Chances are that you will make friends for a lifetime and this is the best excuse to travel all over the world and visit them all in the future. Maybe you will even get a place to stay.

You can add it to your CV and application for studying abroad

Having the buddy experience is something you can definitely add to your CV. It shows that you care about people, have an interest in other cultures and languages, and that you are active and motivated. After having been a buddy, you even get a diploma as a way to display your cultural and linguistic interests.

You can get the opportunity to see and try new things

Last but not least, because there is a long list of positive sides to being a buddy, you will also be able to take the buddy experience as an opportunity to do things you don’t usually do. Be a tourist in your own city! Go on a canal tour excursion, enjoy the view from Rundetaarn, or do some of the things you always wanted to do and see.

You will participate in parties and dinners

As a buddy, you are encouraged and expected to pick up the exchange student from the airport, show them to their residence, and help them become familiarized with CBS. The rest is up to you. Maybe you want to show your buddy how The Little Mermaid looks or maybe you just want to have a coffee and talk. The students have a tight introduction schedule with lots of activities planned. For some of the activities the buddies are also expected to participate. There are a few parties and dinners planned, and they are all a lot of fun.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Six good reasons to become a Buddyby

  • News

    Layoffs break the crucial trust between organisation and employee

    CBS is laying off a number of employees soon, which will affect our university in different ways. When employees are fired without having done anything wrong, it shatters the trust between the organisation and employees, while also taking a toll on productivity, according to a CBS expert. Layoffs also affect the ‘survivors’, who are forced to adapt to a changed workload and the loss of cherished colleagues.

  • News

    Here to help – at the touch of a button and at Campus Desk

    Exam anxiety? Lost student card? I’ve wedged my car between a Fiat 500 and a lamp post, can you help? You never know what you’ll be asked next. But that’s just how the Campus Desk team like it. And if they can’t fix your problem, they’ll know someone who can. CBS WIRE asked the team about the whole range of topics they advice on every day.

  • News

    Why so sudden? The CBS financial crisis explained

    Employees and union representatives have posed many questions in the wake of the 17 August announcement of a firing round. In this interview, University Director Arnold Boon explains how Senior Management has been working with the budget and a change of financial strategy since the fall of 2022, and why layoffs are now necessary.

  • Illustration: Ida Eriksen

    News

    Here’s what you need to know about the master’s reform

    The political parties behind the master’s reform have adjusted their original proposal to shorten or reorganize up to 50 percent of master’s programmes after pressure from CBS and the other Danish universities. Fewer shortened master’s and longer to implement changes are some important revisions to the reform. CBS’ president is pleased that the government and other parties behind the reform have listened to some of the critique given by the universities but raises concern about cutting more study places in bachelor’s programmes.

  • News

    CBS Quiz Time: Unraveling the success story

    A successful university environment such as CBS is often associated with academic pursuits, but campus life extends far beyond the classroom. At CBS Quiz Time, a student society motivated by creative thinking and social engagement, students join in a refreshing range of creativity, excitement, and social interaction. CBS WIRE talked to Celine Møller-Andersen to find out about the society’s vision, strategies and the factors that are driving its rapid expansion.

  • Gif of the week
  • Blog

    Uncertain times: Essential for business schools to understand their market

    The alliance of European business schools met at CBS in June to enhance recruitment strategies, stay informed on industry trends, and analyse where the global economy is heading. The CBS MBA Programmes shares some key take-aways from Associate Dean and Professor Jesper Rangvid’s presentation.

  • News

    Working hard all summer: Bachelor Admissions

    The employees in charge of bachelor admissions at CBS are a small exclusive team. They ensure the validity of diplomas and the fulfilment of entry requirements for bachelor’s degrees at CBS – and, not least, that the applicants get the necessary help to upload the right documentation and find their way around the application procedures.

Follow CBS students studying abroad

CBS WIRE collaborates with Videnskab.dk

Stay connected

Close