{"id":3256,"date":"2019-12-05T12:12:04","date_gmt":"2019-12-05T17:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/magazine\/?p=3256"},"modified":"2025-01-28T09:18:32","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T14:18:32","slug":"getting-to-know-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/magazine\/2019\/12\/getting-to-know-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting to Know You"},"content":{"rendered":"
International students bond with American students in the iBuddy program \u2014 and both benefit.<\/div><\/div>\n

To have a friend, you must be a friend, as the old saying goes. And that has been the positive experience of the more than 100 students who have participated in Seton Hall\u2019s cross-cultural iBuddy program.<\/p>\n

The \u201ci\u201d stands for international, and the program was launched in 2016 by counseling psychology doctoral students in the College of Education and Human Services. The initiative serves two audiences, explains founder and doctoral student Jiwon Yoo, who was once a Korean high-school exchange student in Redlands, California, and understands being an outsider.<\/p>\n

The program helps international students navigate both the Seton Hall and U.S. experiences. English as a Second Language students have found the program particularly useful, she says. But it also helps American students broaden their understanding of people and traditions from other lands.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a program facilitator, it was really heartening to me to see that the students \u2014 both domestic and
\ninternational \u2014 were learning from each other through the struggles and challenges\u201d of mastering a new
\nenvironment, says Yoo, \u201cand really became friends who understood each other and their cultures.\u201d<\/p>\n

A key to iBuddy\u2019s success is that students choose whom they want to get to know, based on their interests, notes Pamela Foley, professor emerita of professional psychology and family therapy, who acts as faculty overseer. \u201cI helped clear the path,\u201d she jokes, \u201cand then I got out of their way.\u201d<\/p>\n

What evolved is a system that allows students to match preferences, ranging from gender and age
\nto majors and hobbies. The students then work out meetings on their own at least twice a month, as well
\nas attend iBuddy workshops and social events, such as outings, volleyball and pot-luck dinners. \u201cIt\u2019s a great way to make a friend,\u201d Yoo says.<\/p>\n

Chiroshri Bhattacharjee, the student head of the iBuddy program this year, says she hopes to increase\u00a0the number of participants from the 38 to 40 pairs who have been signing up. Her plan is to work with other University departments to attract freshmen, augmenting the usual recruiting methods of posters, fliers, introductory get-togethers and word of mouth.<\/p>\n

Bhattacharjee notes that iBuddy is also increasing its group events \u2014 a new one is \u201cpaint nights,\u201d where students are provided with canvases, brushes and instruction. Creating works of art is just a byproduct. The real intent is to create close bonds through \u201ctalking, laughing and stress-busting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bhattacharjee, who was born in America, the first-generation daughter of Indian parents, says what\u00a0emerges is an understanding of cultural boundaries. \u201cThe advantage for domestic students \u2014 some of whom may never been out of New Jersey \u2014 is that they see the world from somebody else\u2019s eyes,\u201d she said. In this case, the eyes of good friends.<\/p>\n

One such pair of pals was (and remains) Umutesi Ruranga, a master\u2019s student studying professional\u00a0counseling, and Katarzyna Kierzkowska \u201919, who lives in Wroc\u0142aw, Poland, and completed a bachelor\u2019s degree in public relations while taking English lessons.<\/p>\n

Ruranga, who hails from South Orange, found an almost instant connection with Kierzkowska: \u201cWe laughed a lot together and understood each other\u2019s sense of humor effortlessly.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Kierzkowska, who was hosting her friend in Poland as this story was written, \u201cWe are close friends who love to travel together, talk about our dreams, and we make a large effort to keep in contact even when we are not close to each other physically.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt helped me learn about how students from other parts of the world deal with stress, and how they\u00a0plan to reach their academic goals,\u201d Kierzkowska says, which proved to be applicable lessons for her wedding- planning business.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe value of this program cannot be put into words,\u201d Ruranga says. \u201cA small choice to attend a meeting and get matched with an iBuddy can truly change your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bob Gilbert is freelance writer based in Connecticut.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

International students bond with American students in the iBuddy program \u2014 and both benefit.<\/p>\n

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