The Cardiff University buddy scheme: how to prepare outgoing students using the experience of the year abroad and final-year students

Abstract

This article describes the extra support required for outgoing students on their Year Abroad (YA) journey. It highlights the increasing need for and relevance of peer mentoring of YA students in preparing them to deal with different structures and organisations where external support might be insufficient or even non-existent. It also outlines different approaches to establishing relationships with allocated ‘buddies’. It finally identifies the outcomes and benefits of the project, including personal development for all students involved in the scheme.