All around the world, young men and women seeking a better life and bright future yearn for a study abroad opportunity. They know that it’s a ticket to making it and realising their aspirations — especially when the name on their degree is University of New England (UNE).
But preparing to go abroad is no easy feat for students who do not have the luxury of attending open days or meeting professors in person.
In such cases, a virtual student advisor like those in the online UNEBuddy programme comes in really handy.
The value of having a service like UNEBuddy is that it connects potential students with current UNE students, staff and alumni. This helps the prospective student to get first-hand information about the university, courses, life on-campus and career options post-graduation.
UNEBuddies are often more than happy, honoured even, to share what they know and have experienced.
Such communication make it an incredible platform, has several international students at UNE have commented.
“In fact, one of the international students that contacted me via UNEBuddy commended the programme and said he had never seen such an incredible platform as this.”
Source: The University of New England
By signing up, you’ll be assigned a friendly UNEBuddy who will answer any question you may have about courses or what to expect from student life in Australia.
UNEBuddies are even on board to walk you through your future job prospects and help you to find a programme that would suit your career aspirations best.
They’ve guided students through the application process, shared scholarship opportunities, and even reviewed their letters of interest/motivation.
So whether you want to study in Armidale, Parramatta or online at UNE, UNEBuddies are always there to help and to share their personal insight.
Need to know more about student life in Australia? Ask a UNEbuddy
Source: The University of New England
UNEBuddies also share personal blogs so that you get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like at UNE and Australia.
For instance, Yahui Sun, a postgraduate student from China, published a post about her sightseeing trip to Inverell which was organised by AIA (Armidale International Association).
“Our first stop was at the Wing Hing Long Museum in Tingha. As we stepped into this store, I kind of felt like I stepped into an experience which links past, present and future,” she says.
Yahui also blogged about her Council of International Students Australia (CISA) 2018 Conference experience so that prospective international students could get a taste of UNE student life.
As UNEBuddy and PhD student Nirosha Ranawaka from Sri Lanka explains, UNEBuddies are always open to sharing their stories and ventures.
“UNE is a multicultural university with learners from all walks of life, so it’s very easy to settle in here,” she says.
Source: The University of New England
Like many UNEBuddies, Nirosha is committed to helping others. That’s why she became a UNEBuddy.
Nirosha was also a finalist of the NSW International Student of the Year 2018 award.
“For me, the most important thing is the ‘happy feeling’ we get after helping international students to solve their problems and supporting them,” says Nirosha.
So if you have any questions about studying at the University of New England, then chat with one of the university’s UNEBuddies.
They’re more than happy to help and have lots of stories to share.
They will be able to offer you a first-hand account of what it’s like to study and live in Armidale or Sydney, and the process to go through to get there.
And who knows, maybe one day you will also be a UNEBuddy like Nirosha and Yahui who’s ready to help the next cohort of international students achieve their ambitions in Australia?
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