Best ever programme lined up

Buddy Bergen is a mentor scheme run by the Red Cross student group. Unlike the hectic mentor week at the start of the semester, buddies meet once a week during the whole autumn semester. And, instead of meeting in big groups, students are paired off two and two – a Norwegian student with an international student.

‘It’s a very popular arrangement,’ says Denise, head of the buddy scheme.
She explains that students fill in a registration form stating their preference as regards gender, area of study and country of origin.
’Norwegian students who are going to take part in an exchange programme, for example, often pick international students from the country where they are going to study,' she says. Others, particularly language students, pick a nationality on the basis of the language they are studying. We try to take everybody’s wishes into account as far as possible.'

Kicking off with a festival

The autumn semester will get things under way with a big Buddy festival.
’We had a festival last year too and it was a great success,’ explains Denise. ‘The festival is something we organise before the actual pairing off takes place, and it serves as a recruitment event.’
Students also have an opportunity that evening to ask questions, talk to the committee and register.
’Both groups of students are equally keen to take part. It is more a friendship on an equal footing than a mentor/mentee scheme, as both parties benefit equally from taking part,’ she adds.

Lasting friendships

The magic date is 24 August, which is when the students who have registered are paired off.
'It's a good time to start. The hectic mentor week during which students receive lots of new information is over, and ordinary student life begins,' says Denise.
She tells us that, although the Buddy scheme only lasts for six weeks, many pairs continue to meet up.
'Some of them have visited their buddies abroad; one of them has just been in France for example,’ she tells us.

Lots of highlights

The autumn programme is jam-packed with highlights according to Denise.
’We try to think up new good ideas while holding on to the old classics. This year, for example, we took part in the Constitution Day parade on 17 May. It was a fantastic, almost overwhelming experience for the international students,’ she says.
’This autumn’s programme includes a fancy dress party, quiz, concerts, walks in the mountains and film evenings, among other things. And there will also be surprises that we naturally won’t divulge just yet.’

'The most important thing is that the events are for everyone, regardless of whether a student is a fitness freak or a teetotaller, for example. Our job is basically to try to ensure that everyone has as sociable a time as possible during their time as students,’ concludes Denise.

Check out the programme and other information on Buddy Bergen’s website.
See photos and become a member of Buddy Bergen’s Facebook Group.