Capitole Buddy Programme

The Capitole Buddy Programme is a mentoring programme between local students who have studied for at least one year at UT Capitole and international students (Erasmus, Mobility Outside Europe and individual students) studying Law and Political Science, Administration and Communication, Computer Science, and at the Toulouse School of Management (TSM).

The programme focuses in particular on welcoming international students to the university and assisting with school-related formalities through monthly exchanges between buddy volunteers (local students) and buddies (international students).

For local students, this programme is eligible for an academic bonus ("bonification"). For more information in French regarding the bonus, please click here. 

 

Why participate?

Buddy volunteers, this programme is a fantastic opportunity to develop your intercultural competencies, add international experience to you CV, and to share your expertise (from a buddy’s point of view, you are experts!), your best tips for life in Toulouse, and to cultivate an open mind. For local students, this programme is eligible for an academic bonus ("bonification"). For more information in French regarding the bonus, please click here. 

Buddies, this programme will allow you an opportunity to have a student guide on-site at the University of Toulouse Capitole, support in understanding the intricacies of the French university system, invaluable advice on how to make the most of Toulouse, the chance to improve your French and, perhaps, to begin a new friendship.

Who can participate?

Buddy volunteers

All students from L2 to M2 in Law and Political Science, Administration and Communication, Information Science, and the Toulouse School of Management (TSM).

Buddies

All international students (Erasmus, Mobility Outside Europe, and individual students) who desire additional support in their transition to UT Capitole studying Law and Political Science, Administration and Communication, Computer Science, and at the Toulouse School of Management (TSM). 

Important

We ask all participants to respect the following:
  • Be a good listener, capable of empathy and establishing a climate of trust
  • Respect others and cultural differences, and not to perpetuate acts of harassment, discrimination or other forms of violence
  • Regular attendance at Capitole Buddy Programme events and workshops

What type of support?

Buddy volunteers commit to welcoming and accompanying their buddy upon their arrival and for the full duration of the Capitole Buddy Programme, according each person’s availability and specific needs. 

Buddy volunteers may, for example:
  • Give their buddies a visit of the campus
  • Help to locate services around campus
  • Provide advice about course registration
  • Supply information regarding on-campus events
Buddy volunteers will not have the answer to every question, but they will be the first point of contact of their buddy. Their role is to guide their buddy toward faculty and staff members for specific information outside their scope of expertise, and in particular, to put their buddy in contact the international office if needed.

What level of involvement is required?

As a buddy volunteer: 
  • Plan to spend around 4 hours a month with your buddy
  • Attend several events throughout the semester: a welcome event, a 3-hour interactive intercultural coaching workshop, and a closing event
  • Submit a brief activity journal (listing the types of activities you carried out with your buddy, for example, the events you attended together, the questions your buddy had and the solutions you found together, etc.)
  • Complete a questionnaire to help improve the Capitole Buddy Programme

As a buddy: 
  • Anticipate approximately 4 hours of support from your buddy volunteer per month
  • Attend several events throughout the semester: a welcome event, a 3-hour interactive intercultural coaching workshop, and a closing event
  • Complete a questionnaire to help improve the Capitole Buddy Programme
Please note that all students have the possibility to participate in the Capitole Buddy Programme for one and/or two semesters.

Sign-up!

International students: registrations for the 2024-2025 school year will be open starting in mid-May. We will provide the link to the registration form on this webpage starting mid-May. 

Local students: to become a buddy volunteer, registrations for the 2024-2025 school year will open starting March 11, 2024 and will be open until May 1, 2024. We will provide the link to the registration form on this webpage starting March 11. 
 

Questions?

For all questions, do not hesitate to contact the International Office at internationalisation@ut-capitole.fr.