Thank you for your interest in the Buddy Program of PSL. All participants are volunteers.
PSL International students come from all around the world and are enrolled in a variety of different programs in PSL. International students can study at PSL for one or two semesters (“on exchange”, like for the Erasmus program) or for an entire program (a 2-year master’s program or a double diploma). At PSL, about 20% of the student community is from abroad!
What is a Local Buddy?
A Local Buddy is a returning PSL student that has been enrolled for at least one year.
What is an International Buddy?
An International Buddy is an incoming international PSL student that will arrive in Paris soon.
Your missions as a Local Buddy are to:
- Get in touch with your International Buddy as soon as you receive the e-mail with their name and contact details.
- Welcome your International Buddy, if you are available, when they arrive in France (airport or train station) and give them their welcome pack. The welcome pack is to be picked up ahead of time at the PSL Welcome Desk on 60 rue Mazarine. This does not concern exchange students at Dauphine - PSL, they receive one during the Welcome Week. You are not responsible for paying your Buddy’s transport.
- Meet your International Buddy at least once before the beginning of the academic year and help them with administrative procedures if you are available (join them for opening a bank account, for example).
- Give a tour of Université PSL to your International Buddy before the academic year starts.
- Have lunch with your International Buddy at the CROUS to show them the student restaurant service. You are not responsible for paying your Buddy’s lunch.
- Show your International Buddy your favorite place in Paris! 😊
- We encourage you to take the initiative to plan activities with your International Buddy throughout the academic year.
- Please note that you can have more than one International Buddy (maximum 3).
What’s in it for you?
- Social engagement: Life in Paris as an international student has its challenges! You can help improve a fellow student's first days in Paris and make a real difference in their experience at PSL.
- Learn about a new culture: being matched with an international student will enable you to discover or deepen your knowledge of another culture.
- Practice a foreign language: this is a good opportunity to practice your English or any other language you have in common.
Important information
- As a Local Buddy, you are a representative of Université PSL, and thus you are:
- Expected to act in ways that are consistent with the role and guiding values of the University and that do not impede or prejudice the work of other members of the community.
- Expected to act with integrity and demonstrate respect for others.
- As a Local Buddy, you are not expected to:
- Solve administrative, financial or any other kind of difficulties that your International Buddy may encounter. For this, feel free to encourage them to write to the PSL Welcome Desk (welcomedesk@psl.eu).
Our advice to be a great Local Buddy and enjoy the experience
- Each international student is unique and has their own needs and expectations. As a Local Buddy, it is important to be open and flexible.
- Think carefully about how you communicate and how this may come across to someone from another culture: use clear language and explain French slang.
- Check that you and your Buddy are on the same page. Sometimes it can be useful to follow up with an e-mail to ensure you have agreed on the same idea, such as “let’s meet August 30th at 5pm in front of the ENS - PSL Building on 45 rue d’Ulm”.
- Be aware that building a good rapport with your Buddy may take time.
- You may want to research where your Buddy comes from to gain a better insight into their home culture.
- It is up to you to decide how you want to connect with your Buddy and how much of your personal life you want to share. If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to the PSL Welcome Desk team: welcomedesk@psl.eu
Be sharing, caring and have fun… and always remember the PSL Welcome Desk team is here to help for any concerns you may have!
FAQ
Who makes the matches?
This platform is managed by the Welcome Desk team, its tutors, and also the student associations that are interested in using it.
If you are a student of Dauphine - PSL, the association Le Forum is in charge of matchs between Dauphine students! Do not hesitate to contact them.
What should I do if I’m not in Paris on the day my International Buddy arrives?
Let your Buddy know and discuss with them how you can help in other ways. The PSL Welcome Desk can always offer to pick them up directly if needed (welcomedesk@psl.eu).
What should I do if my International Buddy does not answer my emails?
Please email the Welcome Desk so that we can try to contact your Buddy. If they still do not answer, we will match you with someone else.
My International Buddy doesn’t study in the same school as me. How can I enter their school?
You can enter all PSL University’s schools by showing your student card (it has the PSL logo on it!). Consider giving a tour of your school to your Buddy!
Do I have to pay for my International Buddy’s lunch at the CROUS or metro tickets to get back from the airport?
No, you are here to help your International Buddy and guide them but you don’t have to pay anything for them! At the airport, show them how to buy a RER airport-Paris ticket, go on the RER with them and accompany them to their accommodation 😊
If something is not working out with my International Buddy, who can I talk to?
If you have any concerns or questions, reach out to the PSL Welcome Desk team: welcomedesk@psl.eu
When can I pick up the welcome pack from the Welcome Desk?
We recommend making an appointment in advance to let us know you’re coming to the PSL Welcome Desk office. You can also let us know by e-mail: tuteurswd@psl.eu if your Buddy arrives between the 1st and 19th of August or welcomedesk@psl.eu
