We are so happy to share about the success of our CCAS International Buddy Program, recently featured in GW Today! For those of you who are looking to join the CCAS Graduate School as an international student, we would love to invite you to join our International Buddy Program. The program pairs international incoming CCAS graduate students with both international and domestic current graduate students who serve as mentors, helping new students acclimate to life in the United States and at GW. This is the second year of the program, and more than 160 students representing 35 countries participate in the program!

In addition to connecting students with resources on campus, the program hosts social gatherings throughout the semester. Last week, the buddies celebrated the end of the Fall 2018 semester with a holiday event, featuring a gift exchange, the best pizza on GW’s campus, and eager discussion about future plans for the program.

Incoming students are paired with students from different programs and countries. “The program’s intent is to encourage new international students to make new friends, promote diversity and inclusion and to send the message that international students are welcome at GW,” said Rebecca Burns, a CCAS graduate student services coordinator.

Priya Lewis, the International Buddy Program student ambassador and Museum Studies M.A. candidate said “when you are with other people who are in the same boat as you, it gives you hope and confidence that you can do this.”

We can’t wait to see what the buddies are up to in the new year!