Social mentoring and connection for international students
The International Student Buddy Program is hosted by Griffith Mates from Week 1 to Week 4 during each trimester. Senior Buddies provide Junior Buddies (you!) with English language support, networking opportunities in small social group settings, and chances to explore highlights of your local city, helping you make a smooth transition to university life in Queensland. This program will be held at the Gold Coast and Brisbane South (Nathan) campuses, and participants will be encouraged to communicate and connect with fellow buddies in the program via dedicated Teams channels.
Join the Buddy Program with Griffith Mates
This a fantastic program for new international students who would like to receive peer-to-peer mentoring during your first four weeks at Griffith. You must be an international student, studying your full degree at Griffith University in your first trimester of study.
Please note: Registrations are essential to participate in this program.
What you will gain:
- Make new friends
- Learn about life in Australia
- Practice English and enjoy great conversations
- Access to a larger network of Senior and Junior Buddies
- Attend fun events and activities hosted by Griffith Mates
- Get advice and information from current Griffith University students
- Be part of a supportive network to guide you through the start of your university journey.
To participate as a Junior Buddy in the International Student Buddy program, you MUST:
- register for the program
- attend the Buddy Meet & Match event during O-Week
- be able to commit to weekly meetings with your buddy group through weeks 1- 4.
The Trimester 2 2026 Buddy Meet and Match events will be held:
| Brisbane South (Nathan) | Gold Coast |
|---|---|
| Thursday 9 July, 11:00am - 12:30pm | Thursday 9 July, 11:00am - 12:30pm |
| Brisbane South (Nathan) - for Brisbane based students only (incl. Logan, Brisbane South (Nathan) and Brisbane City). | Gold Coast - for Gold Coast based students only. |
| Registrations open at 9:00am on Monday 29 June 2026. | Registrations open at 9:00am on Monday 29 June 2026. |
Buddy Program Event Schedule
We recommend attending at least 3 meetings or events with your buddy group to get the most out of the program.
O-Week Program Launch
Buddy Meet & Match | Brisbane South (Nathan) and Gold Coast
Thursday 9 July 2026
11:00am - 12:30pm
Brisbane South (Nathan) and Gold Coast
Meet the Senior Buddies, share your interests and get matched with your new buddy group!
It is compulsory to attend this event to participate in the International Student Buddy Program. Venue details will be sent directly to successful junior buddies.
Weeks 1 - 3
Following the O-Week Buddy Meet and Match event, Senior and Junior Buddies are responsible for staying connected with each other to arrange and enjoy a variety of on-campus or off-campus group activities and meet ups together during weeks 1-3.
As a Junior Buddy, you are also encouraged to attend Griffith Mates events with your Senior Buddy.
Week 4
Final week of buddy program | End of Program Celebration
Join your fellow Senior and Junior Buddies on campus to celebrate the connections you have made with your peers during the start of your journey at Griffith University.
During this final meet up, we encourage you to participate in fun group activities, as well as share stories of your experiences, memorable moments and friendships you have made and exchange contact details with your new friends to stay in touch if you wish to!
Example Weekly Discussion Topics
Living In Australia
Discuss the essentials for getting started at Griffith and life in Australia.
Social Connections
Get the inside scoop on how to get involved in social activities and events on campus.
Life Hacks
Senior Buddies can share how to make budget friendly choices for students.
Cultural Exchange
Each session offers the chance to share your culture with the group.
As a Senior Buddy, seeing my junior buddies smile gave me a real sense of fulfilment and reassurance that I had supported them through their transition to university and life in Australia. It was rewarding to help them feel welcomed, connected and more confident in their new environment.
Rumi, Senior Buddy
Participating in the Buddy Program was an amazing experience. Over the four weeks, my Senior Buddy was kind, supportive, and always willing to help. Through the program, I was able to meet new friends from different cultural backgrounds, improve my English language skills, and explore the local city with greater confidence, in a more meaningful way.
Ranja, Junior Buddy
Being a Senior Buddy was an incredibly rewarding experience. Supporting new international students reminded me of my own journey and inspired me to provide guidance, encouragement, and a welcoming presence. Through the program, I built meaningful connections with my junior buddies, strengthened my leadership skills, and gained confidence in my ability to make a positive difference. What began as a mentoring experience also led to lasting friendships that have continued beyond the program.
Vy, Senior Buddy