Do you remember what your first semester at uni was like? So much information! Image, on top of all that, you were settling in to a new country.

The Curtin Buddies program provides support to our international students as they begin their studies here in Perth. If you like to meet new people and enjoy helping others, volunteering to be a Curtin Buddy may suit you. It’s also a great value add on your resume!

We recently asked Paige Harring about her experience as a Curtin Buddy last semester. Here’s what she had to say:

What motivated you to become a Curtin Buddy?

As an avid traveller and someone who has also lived and worked overseas, I was acutely aware of how difficult it can be to assimilate into a different country. A sense of belonging is something that can sometimes be hard to establish. I felt that these experiences would really serve me in trying to form a connection with international students and, hopefully, I could make the transition process a little easier! I also just love getting to know new people, especially those with a different upbringing and cultural experience than me.

What sorts of activities were you involved in as a Buddy?

I was involved in weekly communications with a lovely bunch of international students, and I was there to answer any of the questions they may have had about uni life and about living in Perth. On occasion, I was hit with some difficult questions, but I always aimed to send them in the right direction and help with as much as I possibly could. I also got to meet for some face-to-face coffee and chats, where I got to learn all about my buddies lives and offer them a supportive ear when they needed it.

What was the most rewarding thing about being a Buddy?

The most rewarding part of being a buddy was being given the opportunity to meet new people and learn about cultures and lifestyles that differed from my own. Honestly, the best outcome of this experience was the connections I was able to build with other people and the friendships I was able to forge. Helping people is always such a rewarding experience, and the buddy program was incredibly rewarding!

If you’d like to volunteer to be a Curtin Buddy, you can apply now through UniHub. Applications close on Thursday 30 June.