Buddy Programme

Although we can't meet one another in real life due to the COVID-19 regulations, we can still meet online! Therefore, we will keep matching our buddies and you can still sign up for the program. In a time of distancing, the health threat of loneliness looms and having a buddy can be very valuable for new international staff. Buddies can contribute by having a nice telephone call or video chat, help with shopping, invite each other for an online dinner or meet up for an online yoga session. Of course as a pair you can also decide to postpone the first meeting until restrictions are over and meet face-to-face.

Are you feeling lonely, or are you worried the possible debts that may come from this? Please contact us via globallounge@ru.nl and we will direct you to our new initiative Global PhD Support.

Are you a new incoming staff member and would you like to be connected with someone who can help you settle and get introduced to your new life in Nijmegen?

OR

Are you a staff member of Radboud University or Radboudumc and would you like to be a helping hand to a new colleague, improve a specific language, or have a coffee with someone from a different (cultural) background?

Then the Buddy Programme is perfect for you.

Easy transition

Radboud's Buddy Programme seeks to facilitate an easy transition for new incoming staff into life in the Netherlands. By being a social point of reference, a buddy plays a key role in helping a newcomer feel at home and welcomed into our community. The buddy may invite the new colleague for cup of coffee, a tour around Nijmegen or show them the social and cultural habits of our country.

Getting to know Nijmegen. In the background: Valkhof Museum

Sign up

Would you like to participate? All interested staff at Radboud University and Radboud UMC can register to receive a buddy as newcomer or volunteer to be a buddy to incoming staff. Both internationals as Dutch nationals are welcome to sign up.

Buddies will be connected to a newcomer for a period of three months but are of course free to stay in touch after the programme. Various social events will be organized by International Staff Support where buddy couples can take part in.

If you wish to sign up as a newcomer or as a volunteer, please click on the button that applies to you:

More information

Interested to volunteer as a buddy to incoming international staff members? Find more information here: Fact sheet volunteers (pdf, 746 kB)

Questions? Please check our Frequently Asked Questions or send an e-mail to buddyprogramme@dpo.ru.nl