The welcome function is for all individuals involved in internationalisation at home. But most importantly, it is a meet and greet for international students to meet their local friends/ambassadors. This also includes interacting and officially meeting staff members with whom they will be constantly engaging via email. The other purpose of the welcome function is to outline why we do what we do properly and what aim we wish to achieve through all of this. The welcome function is intended to welcome international students into the university space and to promote friendship and harmony.
The function welcomes all first-entry international students, both full degree and exchange students. The theme educates the students about South African culture, particularly the Free State, lifestyle, and the institution
The Office for International Affairs (OIA) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted the Umoja Buddy Programme’s (UBP) annual welcoming function. The event, which took place on 15 March at Rag Farm on the Bloemfontein Campus, was well attended by UBP ambassadors and international students involved in the programme, among others.
The programme pairs newly admitted international students (buddies) with current students at UFS (ambassadors) to aid social, cultural, and academic integration. The welcoming function took place after an official campus welcome by OIA staff of new exchange students from the University of Antwerp in Belgium and the University of Bremen in Germany.
“I was happy about the turn-out for the event,” UPB coordinator Lekiti Rantsane said. “Even though ambassadors responded, I did not expect so many to attend the event.”
The significance of the launch
According to OIA representatives, the event had several objectives: to welcome new UBP members to the programme; formally introduce them to OIA staff, with whom they will be liaising throughout the year; inform students of the resources available to them on campus; and welcome incoming international students.
2024 First Semester Images