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It is uncommon for someone to devote their time and work to other people without expecting a diploma or money in return. But there are people like that among us. They simply enjoy bringing great joy to others with a little help. This is a nice example of human solidarity and there are always plenty of people who appreciate it. Lukáš Sladovník, a bachelor's degree holder from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague, also deserves our collective admiration. He is one of the generous helpers of our foreign students. He has already helped dozens of Erasmus students from abroad to find their way around their new environment while giving them advice on studying at CTU as well as student life in Prague. His story will hopefully inspire other colleagues to follow suit.
 

Lukáš, what or who is Buddy?
Buddy is a program of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) based on the principle of "students helping students." Foreign students fill in basic information about themselves in the database: their country of origin, the faculty and field of study they will be pursuing at CTU, what they do in their free time, and so on. In the Buddy system, local students then select a foreign student from our database to whom they will be assigned.
 

According to our information, you hold a record at CTU as a Buddy. How many students have you already helped and are you continuing?
I had free time this semester, so I chose 22 students. However, I must note that for many students, my help ends with answering a few basic questions by email and I never even see them in person because they can manage on their own. However, I have met most of them in person, about 15 or 16, and helped them get from the train station or airport to their dormitory or other accommodations. I then showed them where their classes would be held, where they could find the cafeteria or the study department. And with most of them, I usually go on a tour around Prague or the area surrounding their accommodation and tell them everything they may need to know.
 

What countries were the students you helped from? Or do you no longer count the countries or the large number of people?
They are mostly from European countries, for example: Spain, Germany, Poland, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Sweden. From outside Europe: South Korea, Taiwan and Canada.
 

Is a "buddy" just a guide for foreign students or does friendly assistance often turn into friendship?
Although most students only come for one semester, I meet many of the students that I helped and advised at the beginning of the semester later on at various events. There are even a few students with whom I am in regular contact and sometimes we meet up for a beer for example.

Do you communicate in English or do you speak other languages?
Although I know the basics of German, I usually feel more confident communicating in English.
 
Do you devote yourself to your buddy duties only in your free time, or do you get some relief from your study obligations, or does someone else help you?
I devote myself to my buddy duties during my free time outside of school. Most of the work is usually before or at the beginning of the semester, when students arrive. I also help at ESN, where, in addition to my buddy activities, I organize various events for foreign students. Therefore, the beginning of the semester is the most time-consuming period. Later in the semester, my ESN buddy duties are not as time-consuming and occasional visits to ESN-organized events for students or meetings with "my" students at interesting places in Prague and the surrounding area do not take up much of my time. So, it is possible to manage everything alongside other responsibilities.
 

What are you studying at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and what are your future plans?
I am currently a first-year student in the Production Engineering master's program. As for my future plans, I don't really know what lies ahead yet.
 

Buddies probably have to fulfil all kinds of requests. What unusual requests have you had to deal with?
I can't remember anything unusual, mostly it's similar problems and questions, often ones that someone who is familiar with Prague or the Czech Republic wouldn't even think about. For example, how public transport works in Prague, how to get a ticket, help with enrolling in courses at school, problems and questions about accommodation in dormitories or advice on what to see or visit in Prague or the Czech Republic during their stay.
 

What brought you to or convinced you to work with foreign students?
I first heard about ESN at CTU sometime during my first year of bachelor's studies. But I didn't become more active until my third year of bachelor's studies. My classmate told me more about what ESN is and how it works. I liked the ESN system and what it does, so I got actively involved myself.
 

It's socially respectable, but what does it bring to you personally? Is it preparation for a stay abroad or is it more about an interest in interesting people from different backgrounds? Or are you repaying similar help that you yourself received abroad?
First and foremost, it makes me happy to help someone. You get to meet lots of interesting people from all over the world and you also have the opportunity to practice a foreign language. I enjoy helping someone take their first steps in another country and then seeing them gradually settle in. I myself don't rule out the possibility of studying or working abroad someday, so this is also a way for me to gain some experience.
 

You probably became friends with some of the students. Did they ever want to repay you for your help, for example by inviting you to their home?
I can say that incoming students are very happy that they are not alone during their first days and that they have someone available to give them advice or help. They also welcome the opportunity to meet other students during various events. Sometimes, when students arrive in Prague, they bring a small gift from their country. But from what I know from other buddies, many of the friendships that were formed this way, last long after their studies and lead to mutual visits to each other's countries.