Introduction
- Many of us would like to expand our network of like-minded people
- Through our life experience and often an international background, we have a lot to offer each other
- It is often easier to get to know another person through personal conversations than in group meetings
- Many of us come to our own clarity more quickly when we describe our situation/challenges to another person
- We can support each other by listening with empathy and asking questions
- Sometimes it is valuable to be able to talk with someone who is not personally involved in a topic/issue (someone who is not a relative or a close friend who may have their own agenda…)
- Through personal conversations, we can both get to know each other better and learn from each other
What it is
- Two persons agree to be Buddies and then agree on how often you want to meet or talk on the phone.
- Decide for how many weeks/months.
- This is an opportunity to ask for what YOU want and also practice setting boundaries.
How does the Buddy program work?
Here are some suggestions:
- Talk on the phone for an hour every or every other week
- Divide the time so that each person gets 30 minutes for their topic or questions
- Prepare yourself before the conversation by thinking of one or more things you would like to talk through with your buddy
- Give a brief description of the situation and let your buddy know what kind of support you would like from them, e.g
- ¨Just listen until I ask you for feedback¨
- ¨Ask me a lot of questions about the situation I describe¨
- ¨Give me examples if you have gone through a similar situation/question¨
- Before the end of the call, go through the action items you want to start/finish before your next call
- The idea is that you can change buddies after a month or so to get to know others in the group
- If you have/get a buddy you want to continue talking with after the month has passed, this is of course also perfectly OK!
Positive qualities of a buddy
- Communicates in a direct and honest manner
- Is flexible and open
- Gives their buddy adequate time and space to be heard
- Has a sense of humor
- Can set boundaries (both personal and time related)
- Can handle direct feedback and criticism
- Has respect for the fact that we are all individuals with different backgrounds
How can I get support from a buddy?