Buddy Programme – Case Study

Overview

This case study illustrates how a structured Buddy Programme can support meaningful student-to-student interaction between UK and Chinese students as part of a wider school partnership and exchange experience.

The Buddy Programme helps create a welcoming, guided environment for cultural learning and friendship-building, while supporting students to develop confidence, communication skills and intercultural understanding.

Please note: The Buddy Programme is shared here as an example of student interaction within a school-led programme. Activities are planned and delivered in partnership with participating schools and under appropriate supervision.

How the Buddy Programme Works

The Buddy Programme pairs students to encourage supportive, structured interaction. Buddies may take part in activities such as:

 • Joining selected lessons and school-based activities together

 • Participating in guided cultural exchange tasks and group discussions

 • Supporting introductions, social integration and everyday school routines

 • Taking part in supervised collaborative projects (e.g., presentations, shared themes, mini research tasks)

The format is always agreed with the school and tailored to the age group, context and objectives of the exchange.

Educational Benefits

The Buddy Programme supports students to:

 • Build intercultural understanding and global citizenship

 • Develop communication, collaboration and social confidence

 • Learn through authentic peer interaction rather than observation alone

 • Strengthen relationships that can support longer-term school partnerships

Success Story (Example)

In one school-based exchange example, a visiting student was paired with a UK buddy during lessons and selected school activities. With guidance from staff, the students attended classes together, joined school events and worked through shared tasks designed to encourage cultural understanding and peer communication.

By the end of the programme, both students reported increased confidence and a stronger appreciation of each other’s school life and culture. The school also found that the Buddy Programme helped create a positive atmosphere for the wider visiting group and supported meaningful school-to-school engagement.

How Schools Use This Approach

A Buddy Programme can be included as a component of:

 • Student Visits to China (supporting structured peer interaction during school visits)

 • Reciprocal school partnership programmes

 • Short-term exchange activities agreed between partner schools

Participation, supervision arrangements and the programme structure are determined jointly with schools as part of the overall visit plan.