Buddy for an international volunteer in Utrecht

Buddy for an international volunteer in Utrecht!

What are you going to do?

You are a friend and peer

You are the friend of the international volunteer (20 - 23 jaar) years old) and you are a peer. You help the international volunteer with practical questions: what is an OV-chipkaart? How does it work? How does the bus schedule work? How does payment work in the Netherlands? Additionally, you offer a sympathetic ear, as it can be quite an adjustment to be in a different country and culture.

You are a city expert

You know the city of Utrecht on the back of your hand and can answer questions such as, what is a good supermarket? where can I shop, eat out, and go out? what are fun things to do in Utrecht and the surrounding area? where are sports clubs or hobby clubs? where is the language café? These are all questions a new city resident might have and you guide the international volunteer in taking the first steps to engage in these activities, as it can be quite daunting to enter a sports club or language café on your own for the first time, especially in a foreign country.

Fun stuff

Nice activities you can do together are for example cooking, sporting, biking. When necessary, you teach the volunteer how to ride a bike, practice riding bike in the busy city of Utrecht. When fun activities are arranged by SIW you are invited to join. For example, canoeing on the Oudegracht.

You might be an experienced expert

You might have (ESC) project, or experience abroad yourself and can talk to the volunteer from your own experience. What did you do when you missed your family? How did you made sure you mastered your personal learning goals?

Informing mentor

If you see that the volunteer needs extra help, you notify the SIW mentor. Together, we ensure that the volunteer enjoys and continues enjoying the project.

What is expected of you?

• Regular contact with volunteer
• Go biking together
• Guide the volunteer towards sports & hobby clubs
• Be a city guide of Utrecht
• Undertake activities with the volunteer
• Keep the mentor informed if something is going on
• Be a volunteer were SIW can count on

Interested?

Send an email to: esc.incoming@siw.nl