Buddy System: the mentoring programme for international students
100% free, the Buddy System pairs international students arriving in France with local students who welcome them, give them tips and help them find their feet.
It’s a project we support, and one we can’t recommend enough.
- 100,000+users since 2018
Funded by the European Union
Why we support the Buddy System
The Buddy System was created in 2013 by four students from Lille, just back from an Erasmus+ year abroad. Backed by the University of Lille and rolled out with the ESN France network, it now runs in most French student cities.
As former Erasmus students ourselves, we know how much a warm welcome matters when you arrive. That’s why we recommend it:
- It’s free, for international students and mentors alike.
- It’s all about mentoring: a buddy to welcome you, answer your questions and put your mind at ease.
- It brings people together: international and French students.
How it works
Sign up and complete your profile
Where you study, your age, your arrival date… The more complete your profile, the better your chances of finding a buddy in your city.
We find you a buddy
Your city’s coordinator matches you with a buddy based on your profile.
Get to know each other
From your dashboard, chat with your buddy, check out their profile and discover the events and services in your city. And if you need help, the Buddy System team is there for you.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Buddy System cost anything?
No, signing up is completely free.
Who can sign up?
International students arriving in a French city, to get support. And local students who want to welcome one, for example after coming back from their own Erasmus.
How is my buddy chosen?
Your city’s coordinator makes the matches, based on the information in your profile. The more complete your profile, the better your chances of finding a buddy.
Is the programme available in my city?
The Buddy System runs in many student cities, with more than 30 higher education institutions in France. The easiest way to find out is to create your profile and see whether it’s available where you’ll be studying. If it isn’t, we recommend reaching out to the student associations that welcome international students at your school.
How is it connected to Study in France?
The Buddy System is an independent project, and we feature it because it shares our values. For any question about your registration or your buddy, get in touch with the Buddy System team directly.
