International Buccaneer Buddy (IBB) program
IBB is a program to help new international students adjust positively to life here at ETSU, and to promote
friendship and international understanding. Students who apply to IBB will be paired with a volunteer
student buddy who will assist you in adjusting to your new life here at ETSU. That person will help you in
your first month here. You will also be placed in one of several small groups of around 25-30 students that
include both American student volunteers and other international students from around the world. The
groups will participate in trips and activities throughout the year. All groups have a group coordinator. At
times, all the groups will participate together in a large group trip or activity.
The benefits of applying for IBB are:




having American students to show you around campus and help answer questions about campus
life and American culture
the opportunity to engage in interesting trips and activities
being able to make new friends from around the world
you will more quickly adapt to the life and culture here and have a richer experience of life in the
USA
The expectations for members of IBB groups are:

Be warm, accepting, and respectful of all the students in your group, regardless of any differences
in race, social class, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or political and social views
There are limited openings for the program so the earlier you apply the better the chance of being placed in
a group. The deadline for applying for Fall semester is August 10 and for Spring semester is December
10. Following the applications below you can read what recent international students said about their
experience with IBB.
Application for International Buccaneer Buddy (IBB) Program
To apply, fill out information below and email to: [email protected]
Last Name (Family name):
First Name (Given name):
Country you are from:
Name of university you attended in your country
Email address:
Age:
Gender:
Male
ETSU Major:
I will be a:
Female
E# (ETSU Student Number):
Undergraduate Student
Graduate Student
I will be arriving in Johnson City, TN, on:
I will be staying
On Campus in
Residence hall
Off Camus at
I will be at ETSU for
One Semester
One Year
2 Years
Over 2 Years
What interests do you have, and what activities do you enjoy?
Outdoor Activities
Religious Activities
Other (Please Specify):
Political and Social Issues
Going to Restaurants, bars
Sports
Traveling
Shopping
Music
Recent International Students Experience with IBB
Benedict Elorm Adjogah, Ghana
My first days in ETSU would have been terrible if I had not applied for the IBB program. I
could not move into my off-campus apartment on time and I had no place to go. My
Buccaneer Buddy, Ryan, offered to give me his room to sleep in until I was allowed to
move into my apartment. When I had to open a bank account, Ryan drove me there and
helped me get it done. He also drove me to the Welcome Picnic. I have had a lot of fun
with Ryan since I came to ETSU. One night I won’t forget is when he took me to
Jonesborough where a band came to sing. I have gotten to know other American
students through Ryan and they have been so nice to me, too. I am so grateful to ETSU for this program and
I hope other international students coming to ETSU enjoy this too.
Tamta Gogitidze, Georgia
I think that IBB is a very useful program for the international students arriving for the
first times in United States. I have traveled and lived in many places because my father
is a diplomat for my country, and even so, IBB was still very important to me. It is
always great to already have a friend when you arrive to the new place.
It is also a great experience for the American buddies who will get to know different
cultures and people. I’m glad my buddy turned out to be such a good and easy going
person. We get along very well and enjoy spending time together. I think this is a great
program!
YanYang Dong, China
I have never imagined that I could make so many international friends here in the States! But
thanks to International Buccaneer Buddy Group (IBB Group), I got to know many awesome
people from South Korea, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Spain, Ivory Coast, Holland, Mexico,
Honduras, France, Germany, and also America. We did lots of fun activities and hung out
together. I learned that there are no barriers that prevent us from becoming good friends.
My buddy, Inga Sarkodie, gave me a campus tour at the beginning of the semester, helped
me with my paper writing (which is challenging for me) and drove me to places like
restaurants, Walmart, Best Buy. Inga Sarkodie, my Buddy, is super nice and cool!
One semester is short, but without IBB, without all the wonderful friends, I wouldn’t have
such a meaningful and interesting exchange experience here at ETSU. Because of them, I feel
no homesickness, because we are like a big international family who support and bring
happiness to each other! I love them and will miss them when I go back to China!