International Buddy Programme

What is the UL Global Buddy Programme?

The Buddy Programme is an important initiative set up to help international students feel at home and part of the UL community. Every year, over 2,000 new international students enrol in UL on a wide variety of programmes: Students may be doing full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, or partaking in Erasmus, Study Abroad or Exchange programmes for one to two semesters. Every semester, the Buddy Programme matches a UL student with 3 to 4 newly arrived international students, to help them adjust to life in a new college and country.

How does the programme work?

The University of Limerick Buddy Programme runs in both the Autumn and Spring semesters. Once all UL buddies have been accepted to the programme, the Buddy Programme Administrator begins to process the applications from new international students and match them with a UL buddy. We match buddies according to their area of study, hobbies and language capabilities. We endeavour to match specific requests where possible. Once matched, an email will be sent to the UL buddy, with the details of their international buddies. The UL buddies organise a first meeting; this will be before the term begins. Throughout the semester, get to know your buddy, check-in with them and attend various events organised by the Buddy Programme.

Buddy Programme Events

Each semester, UL Global organises a number of events for you and your buddies to attend. The full list of events will be emailed to the UL Buddy at the beginning of each semester. 

Events we have run in the past include a trip to King John's Castle in Limerick City, a Coffee Morning on campus and movie nights in UL's own Concert Hall.

What is the UL Global Buddy Programme?

The Buddy Programme is an important initiative set up to help international students feel at home and part of the UL community. Every year, over 2,000 new international students enrol in UL on a wide variety of programmes: Students may be doing full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, or partaking in Erasmus, Study Abroad or Exchange programmes for one to two semesters. Every semester, the Buddy Programme matches a UL student with 3 to 4 newly arrived international students, to help them adjust to life in a new college and country.