We at the Office of International Student Affairs are really excited that you have chosen the Buddy Program to support your first semester at the college! This program was designed to be fun, supportive and informative for YOU - a new international student.

Welcome to the Buddy Program!

THIS BOOKLET WILL OUTLINE THE FOLLOWING

/ Expectations as a part of the program

/ Small groups and Buddy Meet-Ups from the program

/ Campus resources and services

If you ever need assistance, your buddy and our office is here to help you! Please contact us and visit our website, colum.edu/buddyprogram or colum.edu/isa.

We look forward to meeting you when you arrive and seeing you at the International Student Welcome Program!

Sincerely,

The Office of International Student Affairs

ExpectationsNow that you are a part of the Buddy Program, as a new student, to support you during your first semester, there are some ways we want you to contribute to make the program work best for you:

/ Attend and participate in small groups and Buddy Meet-Ups / Stay in touch with your buddy

• Your buddy will be contacting you regularly to simply see how you are doing. Make sure to respond when they message you.

• They’ll be contacting you via your preferred method of contact / Join the Buddy Program 2016 Facebook group to get updates on things happening in the Office of International Student Affairs

/ If questions arise, ask your buddy or anyone who works in the Office of International Student Affairs

Please remember, the Buddy Program is not and will not be a dating service.

The small groups are coordinated by the buddies and focus on topics typical to the new international student experience. Your buddy will coordinate the time and place with you and the other students in your group. There would be no more than 12 people per small group.

Each time the small groups meet, it would be in a different Chicago neighborhood so you and the rest of the new students can become more familiar with the cool things the city can offer.

Buddy Meet-Ups will include everyone in the Buddy Program and are open to continuing international and domestic students. A couple of the meet-ups in the past focused on getting a job in the US and how to find an apartment off campus while knowing your rights as a tenant. Speakers from the community or the college are present so you can better know your resources.

Small Groups and Buddy Meet-Ups

Columbia College Chicago provides plenty of resources and services for all students. We’ve listed the contact information for all the resources currently available on the next page.

Campus resources and services

Campus Resources

International Student Affairs 312-369-7458 618 S. Michigan Ave. 4th Floor

Multicultural Affairs 312-369-7569 618 S. Michigan Ave. 4th Floor

Health Center 312-369-6830 731 S. Plymouth Ct., Basement Level

Counseling Service 312-369-8700 731 S. Plymouth Ct. Main Level, Suite 112

College Advising 312-369-7645 623 S. Wabash. Suite 300

Career Center (Portfolio, On-Campus Employment, Internships)312-369-7280 618 S Michigan, 1st Floor

Student Financial Services 866-705-0200 600 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 303

Columbia College Library 312-369-7900 624 S. Michigan Ave., Floors 1 - 5

The Learning Studio 312-369-8130 33 E Congress, 1st Floor

Columbia College Bookstore 312-369-7405 624 S Michigan Ave, 1st Floor

Plymouth Court Fitness Center 312-369-6920 731 S. Plymouth Ct., Main Level

Residence Life 312-369-7803 731 S. Plymouth Ct., Main Level

The Columbia Chronicle 312-369-8999 33 E. Congress, 2nd Floor, Suite 224

Student Activities & Leadership (The Loft)312-369-6924 916 S Wabash, 4th Floor

Office of the Registrar (Immunizations, Degree Evaluations)312-369-7769600 S Michigan, Suite 611

Services for Students with Disabilities312-369-8296 623 S Wabash, 3th Floor