Buddy program
About buddy program
The Buddy program allows OPF students to participate in collaboration with international students, practice their language and make new friends. Buddy becomes a partner for well-being and comfort, which the foreign students can turn to during the semester, helping the foreign students to understand university culture and also Czech customs. Buddy can choose his students (usually 2 to 3) based on common interests and hobbies.
Buddy comes into contact with a foreign student before his arrival. He will establish communication with him by sending an introductory email, in which he will provide him with important and practical information on the organization of the semester and stay in the Czech Republic. He will pick him up at the station, help with accommodation at the dormitory, guide him through the faculty, or help him with the necessary formalities. For many incoming students, this is their first stay abroad, so situations that may seem quite common to us may not be an easy crack for some of them, so a helping hand is always welcome.
During the semester, buddy participates in social events for foreign students, organized by the Department of International Relations (OZS), or together / organizes his own events. All formal matters concerning the study are in charge of the OZS and the study department.
Our mission
To help all international students no matter where they come from and who they are. To make them feel like at home. Contribute to the world peace and better intercultural understanding with our openness and tolerance.
Why to participate?
The Buddy program provides a wide range of opportunities, not only in building your soft skills such as language competence and social interaction, but also offers benefits on campus. Through regular contact with a foreign student, buddy loses shyness in communicating with strangers, and conversation in English is no longer a scarecrow for him.
You will gain following:
- Three credits within the optional subject OPFBUPRO
- new friends, experiences and opportunities
- you will improve your language
- self-realization (organization of events)
- contacts abroad, which are always useful
First day as buddy
First you will have to register via web application Broaddy to choose an international student or students based on common interests and your preferences. The number of students you will take care of will be depend on the current situation. You will then receive a contact for your new one friend.
Upon receiving contact it’s up to you to start communication. (If the student does not respond to your e-mail, it is possible that the e-mail has been spammed or received incorrectly address. In this case, inform the coordinator of the problem OZS). Introduce yourself and write something about yourself, so that he sees interest from you. Try to ask if he has any questions about life in Karviná or study at OPF. Example of the first introductory email will be available to you. If the student does not like the email communication, you can use any social platforms as FB, WhatsApp, Wechat, etc.
The purpose of the initial communication is to find out the date of student arrival to Karviná. Once you have the date confirmed, write it to the shared table, mark it in green and offer it with the student that you will pick him up at the station in Karviná.
Second introductory e-mail needs to include practical information as public transport system in the Czech Republic (IDOS application), accommodation options in Na Vyhlídce dormitories (If the student has not yet filled in the application for accommodation. It is necessary fill it in before arrival. Transport from the airport to student dormitories OPF Na Vyhlídce (Airport Express Bus, train, public transport Karviná). Information about our country, culture and climate. Further share FB groups “International Students Karvina”, official, the SU SBA website and FB page, welcome days event a what not to forget eg calculator, passport photo.
Pick up and check-in
Pick up the student at the station and assist him with check-in on the tracks. Give him information relating to accommodation: method of payment of dormitory and deposit, brief acquaintance with the dormitory building (room, kitchen, common room). Provide him with Wi-Fi login details – available at reception. On the day of arrival (After enrolling for the study, the student will receive Wi-Fi Eduroam credentials.)
A more detailed acquaintance with the building (the landlord’s office, laundry and washing / drying / linen change, maintenance service, gym, library and method loans and printing, International Office (VA111), Room of Exchange, etc.) may take place in the following days by arrangement with the student. If for serious reasons you cannot pick up the student, ask a buddy for help.
Upcoming days after arrival
Guide the student around the faculty: show him the canteen, buffet, study room, lecture halls, cash register where you can deposit money on a student card or buy promotional items, printers and printing methods, card center, where he picks up the student card. Introduce the student to enroll in the OZS coordinator (after previous agreement). The student should inform the clerk of dormitory as soon as possible on the expected date of departure. Help the student apply for a student card (karty.slu.cz), ODIS card (public transport after Karviná) and a ČD student ID card for drawing discounts on transport (orange card). List of students with catering, shopping, cultural and sports activities in Karviná, in the case of assist in setting up a bank account in the Czech Republic, purchasing a SIM card, all according to the student’s needs.
One week before the beginning of each semester we prepare activities and trips for students, thanks to which they get acquainted with life at the faculty, they integrate better and make friends not only with others foreign students. Welcome Days are for everyone foreign students and their buddies. Your participation is expected and welcomed.
During the semester
It is entirely up to you how much attention you give to the student as long as you will be active, creative and you will come up with something memorable. If will he will turn to you for help, be patient and try to find a solution to the situation. If some health problem occurs take him to the doctor. In case of extension of visas help him with everything required. More information regarding visas is available at the Ministry of Interior – Department asylum and migration policy in Ostrava and HERE.
Organize for an international students at least one trip. Other buddies can help you with an organization. Attend a regular monthly meeting of buddies and program coordinators. Participate and cooperatr in events for foreign students organized by OZS (Welcome Days, Easter Afternoons, Trips, Goodbye party, etc.)
Before departure
Find out well in advance and then inform the CTM coordinator on the actual date of departure student from Karviná and write this date to the shared one
tables.
Notify the student that he / she must indicate his / her departure date and inform the head of dormitory Mrs. Šoóšová in advance and arrange with her the hand over of the room (during working hours).
Assist with check-out at the dormitory and handover rooms. Make sure that the student at the reception in the main building collected a bail for the accommodation.
Summary of buddy requirements
- Complete info meeting and introductory training for new buddies.
- Be responsible while performing all the tasks given in the manual.
- Keep in contact with the CTM coordinator and attend monthly meetings.
- Participate and cooperate in at least 60% events for foreign students organized by OZS.
- Organize at least one trip.
- Complete the final evaluation report.
Buddy's ten
- I treat a foreign student the way I want others to treat me.
- I always perform my tasks responsibly.
- I’m not afraid to ask for help when I’m not good enough or I don’t know what to do.
- I always consult serious situations with the OZS coordinator.
- I do not damage the good name of SU OPF.
- I will not abuse the local conditions of a foreign student for my own benefit or for commercial purposes.
- I will take the entrusted student at least once „for one“ 🙂
- I behave in such a way that the foreign student feels like at home here.
- I will devote myself to the student throughout the semester.
- I will be a cultural guide for a foreign student.
Useful Contact list
Department of Foreign Relations (OZS)
Ing. Veronika Matkova (matkova@opf.slu.cz) A330, VA111
tel: 596 398 623, 776 103 503
Bc. Veronika Novotná (novotna@opf.slu.cz) A330, VA111
tel: 596 398 623, 728 062 954
Ing. Radmila Unucková (unuckova@opf.slu.cz) A302
tel: 596 398 247
Head fo the University dormitory and canteen department
Eva Šoóšová (soosova@opf.slu.cz) VB132
tel: 596 398 654
University general health practitioner
MUDr. Mariola Garcia N´Dua
Fryštátská 236/29, 733 01 Karviná
tel: 596 311 212
Mon, Wed: 08: 00-13: 00 / Tue: 13: 00-16: 30 / Thu: 8: 30-11: 00 / Fri: 08: 00-11: 00
Cash desk A109
Mon, Wed: 09: 00-11: 30, 13: 00-14: 30 / Thu, Fri: 09: 00-11: 30
A422 Card Center
Mr. Bodsky (premysl.bodsky@slu.cz)
Mon, Tue, Thu: 9: 00-11: 00, 12: 30-14: 00 / Fri: 8: 00-11: 00
Karviná Traffic Information Center:
Karviná, bus station
tel .: 555 440 341
e-mail: info-karvina@kodis.cz
Mon-Fri: 5:30 – 9:30, 10:00 – 16:00, 16:30 – 19:00