Sussex staff and local alumni can again take part in an annual scheme to become a 'friend' to a new international student.
The Alumni and Development Office and the International and Study Abroad Office are currently recruiting for the Alumni Friendship programme, pairing up visiting students with friendly staff and alumni.
Staff who volunteer to be a 'friend' are expected to get to know the student and share their culture with them, starting with a welcome reception on 22 October, but any extra hospitality offered is entirely up to the individual.
The scheme (previously known as the Host programme) has been running since 2004 and many previous participants still enjoy long-lasting friendships with the students they were paired with.
Nicola Jones, Alumni Officer, said: "The programme helps the students to feel more at home, make a friend outside university, learn more about British culture, practise conversational English and find out about former Sussex students' experiences.
"It helps international students to feel at home during those difficult first few months away."
If you are interesting in taking part in the scheme, email n.r.jones@sussex.ac.uk
For more information, go to the Alumni Friendship Programme pages