Hi!

My name is Karin Siöö and I work as an International Student Life Coordinator. I’m the person to contact if you want a buddy during your stay at Växjö University, soon to be Linnaeus University. I’m also, together with the International Office, responsible for organizing the arrival days and the orientation held every August & January.   If you have any questions of social or practical character prior to your arrival or during your stay, I’m the person to contact ☺

What is the difference between the VIS and the International Student Life Coordinator? The International Student Life Coordinator (ISC) is employed by the student union and works fulltime while the people in the VIS board are fulltime students. As a permanent member of VIS the ISC does not have the right to vote and has no area of responsibility as the other members, but functions as a resource for the board.

How does the buddy programme work? Studying in a new country is a big and sometimes difficult change. To make this change easier, exchange students have the possibility to apply for a Swedish buddy. The buddy is a Swedish student at Växjö University and he/she functions as a link to the Swedish university life. The buddy helps the exchange student to understand and adjust to the Swedish way of life, in other words help the student to become more integrated.   The buddies are volunteers and do not get paid for being involved. It is common that buddies have more than 1 exchange student the fall semester. The idea with the buddy program is to build lasting relationships and maybe friendship for life. However, remember that it takes two to make a good relation between the both of you. Try to keep in touch on a regular basis and come up with suggestions of things you can do together.   If you want to know more about the buddy programme please contact the ISC at studcoord@siv.vxu.se The goal is that everyone interested will get a buddy.  However, it can not be guaranteed for non-exchange students. But everyone is welcome to apply.

How do I apply for a buddy? If you come to Växjö on exchange a letter will be sent to you along with your Letter of Acceptance.  The letter describes what information you should send etc. Once you are accepted to the courses programmes you have applied for you will also receive an email with information regarding the buddy programme.

What else can the ISC help international students with? If you need travel advice before arriving to Växjö, if you want to continue to practise a certain sport or if you have questions about extra currcular activities in general you are most welcome to email or visit the ISC office. The same goes for if you want to know more about what the town of Växjö has to offer, or if you just need someone to talk to. The ISC office is located at Tufvan, the ground floor.