Undergraduate Buddy Program
The Buddy Program is a flexible mentoring program that invites experienced students to offer ongoing support, guidance, and camaraderie to new students through semi-regular emails, zoom chats, or on-campus meetings.
The Undergraduate Buddy Program seeks to partner incoming students with senior students to facilitate a smooth transition to university life in the Alberta School of Business. One of the main goals of this program is to offer international students and students who are new to the province or city the opportunity to start their undergrad journey with a supportive first connection. Our mission is to cultivate a sense of community and belonging among students in the Alberta School of Business.
By becoming a mentor through our Buddy Program, you will have the rewarding opportunity to offer guidance and support to an incoming student based on the experience and knowledge you have acquired during your time in the Alberta School of Business so far!
Your role is to facilitate a smooth transition by answering your mentee’s questions, checking in at key points in the semester, and directing them to useful resources both on and off campus. Many of our students are new to the city, province, or even country, so you will be playing an essential role in making them feel comfortable and welcome. Being a mentor can also help you to cultivate self-esteem, confidence, accountability, leadership skills, time-management, and social benefits.
Requirements:
- Be in your third year of the program or later
- Be in good academic standing
- Have a desire to be helpful to new students
Mentors will be provided with a resource hub that they can use to refer their mentee(s) to professional services and websites for needs related to academics, careers, mental/emotional/physical well-being, accessibility, safety, financial/food security, housing, transportation, etc.
Are you a first-year student in the School of Business? Are you new to Canada and/or new to Edmonton, and as yet, don’t know anyone here? Our senior student mentors are here to greet you and share their wisdom and experiences as students in the School of Business.
Your mentor…
- WILL reach out to you via email to establish contact in mid-August.
- WILL check in mid-September and again before fall reading week.
- WILL meet with you through Zoom or in-person on campus.
- CAN share their own academic experiences and study strategies.
- CAN suggest places to go in Edmonton and activities to do on campus.
- CAN listen to your experiences and offer some support (within your respective boundaries).
- WILL NOT play the role of career coach, academic advisor, or mental health professional.
- WILL NOT disclose personal information unless you or others are at risk
There are a very limited number of spots available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Priority is given to those new to Canada and/or Edmonton who don’t already know anyone here. If you apply and do not get a spot, Assistant Dean-EDI Michelle Inness will still reach out to you. If you have any questions, please email Michelle at michelle.inness@ualberta.ca.