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The International Friendship Group was set up by the University of Bedfordshire's International Office in conjunction with current international students.
Just like you, the students who run the International Friendship Group have travelled from their home country to come and study at the University of Bedfordshire.
They understand exactly how you feel in the first few weeks as you settle in and adjust to your new surroundings.
The students in the group will be able to show you around the University and the town, and answer any questions you may have about life in the UK and studying here in Bedfordshire.
Many of our international students have told us that the group really helped them settle in and overcome the expected homesickness and uncertainty. Hear from some of our students who have been involved in the group this year...
"Even though I had prepared my mind for the move from friends, family and everything familiar, the impact was still profound.
I joined the International Friendship Group because I fervently wished to become part of a family away from home.
I was doubly glad I took the decision when I found how friendly the mentors were - they were ever ready to help and were always there for me.
They helped me acclimatise much faster than I could have been able to if I had had to go it alone."
"This year I took on the role of mentor in the International Friendship Group. My role and responsibility is to talk to new students who join the group about life in and around the University, to help them settle down quickly and to minimise the effects of culture shock.
I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and tell them about my own life experience and experiences at the University of Bedfordshire - and in the process of mentoring the new students, I even found out some things about the University and the town that I never knew!"
For more information about the International Friendship Group, contact Sarah Jennings at sarah.jennings@beds.ac.uk or Syeeda Sultana at syeeda.sultana@beds.ac.uk
