

The Fulbright Buddy program is a program run by the association in co-operation with the Fulbright Finland Foundation. The program seeks to connect Fulbright Finland alumni living in Finland with arriving U.S. grantees to encourage intercultural exchange and mutual understanding. The buddy program provides new arriving U.S. grantees a local community member to provide answers and solutions to basic questions regarding the grantees stay in Finland. The Fulbright buddies are motivated Fulbright Finland alumni who are devoted in helping the U.S. grantees adjust to life in Finland and share their love for the country.
Fulbright Buddy is a person living in Finland with first hand experience of living in the country, it’s habits and culture. The primary responsibility of a buddy is to help the arriving grantees get settled into life in Finland by welcoming them to Finland and offering advice and guidance regarding packing, moving and adjusting to the culture. Fulbright Buddy is a perfect person to ask to help opening a bank account or come shopping with you for the first time. After the grantee eases in to life in Finland the buddy can introduce the U.S. grantee to the local arts, culture or sports depending on joint and personal interests. It is suggested for the buddy and grantee to meet up at least twice during the grantee’s period in Finland. More meetings than two are encouraged, but it is up to both the grantee and alum to decide if more meetings are wanted.
It is the alumni buddy’s responsibility to initiate contact the the U.S. grantee after the initial introductions done by the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association board and make follow-up inquiries and invitations. Activities will depend on the interests and hobbies shared by the grantee and alum buddy.
It is important to note that all grantees also have the support of their host affiliations, but the depth of those relationships vary, so the grantee may or may not be reliant on the information and activities the alum buddy shares.
We see the relationship between the alumni and grantee as a two way exchange, as both individuals share cultural knowledge about their home country. As mentioned above it is recommended that the alum and grantee meet at least twice during the grantees Fulbright term in Finland. If schedules allow and interests between the grantee and alum are similar more meetings than two are encouraged. Popular activities in the past have been sharing a meal, attending cultural or sporting event, enjoying sightseeing trip around the area and enjoying a holiday celebration. Activities chosen are completely up to the grantee and alumni buddy.
My “buddies” and I have become friends. They’re a couple that went to the U.S. with Fulbright. I attended their family holiday celebrations, we’ve gone to local museums, and we have dinners every once in a while. We always end up having great conversations about their time in the U.S., my thoughts on Finland, and all of our diverse research projects. - U.S. Fulbright Fellow 2018-2019