STUDENT BUDDIES
OUR STORIES
TELL US YOUR STORY:
Adi, 26
Journalism,
4th year
OR WRITE TO US:
ADI YUSRAN, 26 Fourth Year, Journalism, School of Communication I’ve joined a lot of student societies throughout my studies here in USM but none are like Buddies. Four years in Buddies, changed me into a better person. Buddies is the place where I learnt how to look at something in different views and perspectives. Buddies is where I learned all the complexities of people and how to accept and love them as who they are. Buddies is where I learned about self-development and most importantly, about life. Never once I regret joining Buddies since I became one four years ago. Not even once. I am forever grateful for having the chance to join this family. One thing I’ll always remember for the rest of my life from joining Buddies is, if we only be with our own kind, we are gonna end up with a one track mind. One day when I have kids I’m gonna tell them about Buddies. In fact, I probably gonna write books about this. And if you ask me to describe my life here in USM with one word, it would be BUDDIES. Because Buddies isn’t just a society. Buddies is a Feeling. Buddies is Love and Buddies definitely is a Home.
TZE YIN, 21
Biology,
2nd year
KHAW TZE YIN, 21 years old. I am currently second year student from School of Biological Sciences. I joined Buddies because of cultural exposure and invaluable experience. However, I have gained more than what I have expected. Joining Buddies taught me to be more confident and learn to interact with people especially exchange students from all over the world. I knew friends from different countries. Buddies offered leadership opportunities, learning experiences, and environments to network with people as well as professionals. I learnt how different people respond and react to certain situations and developed my skills in presenting and implementing ideas. Besides all of the real world skills I can get, I also have a lot of fun! Buddies full of people with the same interests. Buddies do not care about your races or religions. We are all same and equal. We help each other to make every event a success. Beyond that, we have dedicated directors who always have confidence in us, provide platform and support us physically and mentally. Even the staff here are very helpful and easy-going. The other members had become some of my close friends and cheerleaders, all while I got to do something I love. Seeing hundreds or thousands of students attending an event I helped can be the best feeling in the world.
Visha, 23
Humanities,
3rd year
Buddies – A Place Where I Belong Two years ago as a freshman in USM, I came in like a blank slate not knowing why I was sent here and what my purpose is. I kept writing letters to a friend saying, “I don’t know my reason for existing here and I need to find it soon or university will be a miserable place!” I heard about Buddies from a senior and I decided to give it a go. It felt good that I familiarised myself in the International Office with both staff and other student buddies. As years passed me by, school became busier and I questioned my purpose of staying in Buddies. Honestly, my drive to stay in Buddies is not just the strong bond that ties us together, but also because I really like what we do for the international students as a team. The international students looks at us as tough we’re family and that was when it really occurred to me, family stays together no matter what, you don’t just leave a family. I really want to show the International Students that bonds can be created between people in a short period of time can stay that way for a very long time in one’s life. I may have other commitments and responsibilities but I have a family which I can always turn to here in Buddies. That is a gift not everyone is granted with when they enter university.
One of the main influences for me to join Buddies came in the form of not knowing anyone at USM. When I first I arrived in USM, I was told nothing and just sent to my hostel room; this was the case since I had arrived after the orientation. In the following weeks, I slowly discovered more of the things about USM; for instance, what food was good, the Penang Rapid bus system, as well as the USM bus system. I joined Buddies in hopes that they might provide the key to prevent this from happening to other exchange or international students who arrive late. When I first joined, I was impressed by how friendly the Buddies were to me; they were very accepting and began to help me get more familiar with USM. I can say that after being a Buddy for two years, I have gained so much job related experience; pertaining to the formation of international teams, project management, as well as working through language and cultural barriers. More importantly, I have met very many nice people and even made a few close friends through Buddies.
Ben Cutler, 23
English for Professionals,
2nd year
Once you are Buddies, you will be forever buddies
James Teoh, 23
Management,
3rd year
Hey I my name is James Teoh and I am from Selangor. I have join buddies 2 years already since the year 2012 and I am still excited about it as the years goes by. I am very excited to join buddies because it gives me the opportunity to meet people around the world and I am able to help them while they are in Malaysia. Buddies have given me a lot of exposure and it actually enhance my leadership skill. I want to join buddies because this is something that I can give back to the community and it requires sincerity and evangelism . I hope that in the future, the community in USM will know more about student buddies and what we actually do to help the exchange student in USM.I hope I can contribute more to buddies society and the USM community even more by coming out with more events that will attract not only exchange students but also the local student from USM as well. Thank you
When I first joined Buddies in early 2012, I thought it would provide me great hands on experience in the real world; as well as to help me understand the various different cultures better. But in reality I had no idea just what an experience it would be. I have learned how to network with locals and foreigners alike; every project I have been involved in has given me more understanding into why some global teams fail, at least in regards to the issues of ethnicity. I never realized being a buddy would give me great opportunities in the form of various trips and activities. I personally have already gone to Japan and Korea; if I had not joined Buddies, surely I would have just spent my three years of degree time at USM only. Buddies has taught me more about acceptance as well as clued me into the fact that not all cultures like what I like, do what I do, or even communicate in English the way I do. In the future I will definitely utilize what Buddies has taught me once I enter the workforce. The experience I have received from being a member of Buddies will help me the rest of my life.
Arina, 24
Social Science,
3rd year
