茨城キリスト教大学

Hey Buddy!

国際交流部長 Jim D. Batten

The word "buddy" means a friend or someone we appreciate. If we are calling a good friend or colleague we may say "Hey Buddy!" with an expression of appreciation in our voice and in our body language. A buddy is someone who shares things and time with you. When we have a buddy to work with, our work goes smoother and we enjoy it more than if we are working alone.

We set up our buddy system to help international friends to enjoy their lives here in Japan and on our campus. We want to be buddies to them, helping them in their adjustments to their new surroundings. But, at the same time, we learn from them and they help us in our desire to learn more about other cultures and languages.

I would like to challenge you to become a buddy. We need buddies who will help international students with "simple" things, like filling out forms, getting settled, shopping and studying. If you do, you will make new friends and also find out that the best way to help yourself is to help those around you.