Global Buddies Club Hosts Virtual “Meet and Greet” to Welcome International and Mobility Students
Photos Yenting, Programme Committee
SINTOK, 13 April 2026: The Global Buddies Club (GBC), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), successfully organised a virtual “Meet and Greet” session to welcome international and mobility students for the A252 semester, creating a warm and engaging platform for connection, orientation, and intercultural exchange.
The initiative was designed to foster early engagement among participants, strengthen peer networks, and introduce new students to the role, objectives, and upcoming activities of the Global Buddies Club, which continues to play an important role in supporting the international student experience at UUM.
A total of 49 participants took part in the session, comprising 15 GBC members, one staff representative from the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), and 33 international and mobility students. The online session commenced at 2.00 p.m. with welcoming remarks by the GBC host, who outlined the objectives of the programme, the flow of activities, and basic guidelines for virtual participation.
The programme began with the singing of the Malaysian national anthem, followed by welcoming addresses by the GBC adviser and the GBC president, both of whom highlighted the importance of cross-cultural interaction, student engagement, and community integration in enriching the international and mobility student journey at UUM.
Participants were also given a comprehensive introduction to the Global Buddies Club, including its functions, membership benefits, and a preview of forthcoming activities specially curated to support mobility and international students throughout the semester.
To encourage interaction in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, the session featured a series of structured ice-breaking and interactive activities. It began with the Dingbats game as a light-hearted opener, followed by “Expectation vs Reality,” where participants shared their hopes, expectations, and concerns about their semester experience.
The activities continued with “Discover Malaysia & UUM” and the “UUM Survival Quiz,” both of which offered useful insights into Malaysian culture, campus life, and practical aspects of settling into the university environment. An “Icebreaker Word Cloud” activity was also conducted, allowing participants to share their first impressions and thoughts in a collective visual format that added a creative and reflective touch to the session.
The programme then moved into a question-and-answer session, which provided participants with the opportunity to seek clarification and obtain further information on matters related to student life and GBC activities. This was followed by a brief promotional segment on the GBC T-shirt, before the session concluded with an official closing and a group screenshot to commemorate the occasion.
Overall, the virtual “Meet and Greet” was a meaningful and successful initiative that promoted social integration, encouraged intercultural exchange, and fostered a stronger sense of community among international and mobility students. The programme also reflected GBC’s continued commitment to creating a welcoming, supportive, and engaging environment for students as they begin their semester at UUM. – Aliya Zulhelmi
