Inovasi Buddy System dalam Mendukung Adaptasi Sosial dan Akademik Mahasiswa Asing di UIN Salatiga

Abstract

The increasing internationalization of higher education requires universities to provide comprehensive support for international students in adapting to new academic, social, and cultural environments. This community service program aimed to implement a Buddy System to strengthen the adaptation of international students at UIN Salatiga through the International Office Student Volunteer Program (IOSVOLP) and Arabic International Office Student Volunteer Program (AIOSVOLP). The program employed a participatory approach based on student volunteerism, integrating Asset-Based Community Development and peer-assisted social and academic immersion. The implementation consisted of needs assessment, volunteer training, buddy matching, intensive peer-to-peer assistance, monitoring, and evaluation using the CIPP framework. From March 2025 to July 2026, the program facilitated 27 international students across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. Assistance covered academic administration, immigration, banking, healthcare, language, and sociocultural integration. The program also supported cultural immersion and international campus activities. The results indicate that the Buddy System strengthened accessibility to personal assistance, supported students' academic and sociocultural adaptation, and enhanced volunteers' intercultural communication and interpersonal skills.