Details
1104337
University of Leicester
26/01/2026
Other - See Job
See advert
Smart Casual
Pay
£12.21
£1.47
Description
Role
Study Buddies play a key role in supporting 45+ Japanese students who come to the University of Leicester for a four-week course in February. During the course, the students take English classes, learn about British culture, go on day trips and take part in social events. The responsibility of the Study Buddies is to be proactive in conversation with small groups of the Japanese students on trips and at social events by befriending them, supporting them on the excursions, allowing them to practice their English and sharing cultural experiences.
Working Hours: Average weekly hours are between 3-20 and will vary from week to week depending on shift allocation. This will include some early starts, and evening and weekend work to attend social events and trips. If successful, we will invite you to indicate your availability for the variety of our scheduled shifts. This role will start in the week commencing 26th January 2026.
Location: University of Leicester main campus for initial training, then around Leicester and in different cities for the day trips (London, Warwick Castle & Stratford-Upon-Avon, Cambridge, and Oxford). Coach transport is provided for the day trips.
Drop-in Sessions: We’ll be at the Career Hub drop-in sessions (inside the David Wilson Library opposite the cafe) on both Monday 3rd November and Tuesday 11th November from 10am-1pm. Come along to find out more or for an informal chat if you’re thinking of applying to be a Study Buddy, or if you’ve already submitted an application, we’d love to meet you.
Duties and responsibilities
- Lead a small group of students on a variety of excursions and activities, befriending them, and giving them an insight into British student life and culture. Animate gatherings and proactively engage students in conversation, providing them with the chance to speak English
- Ensure that the students are safe and happy and that they make the most out of the day trips. Carry out basic research regarding tourist attractions and ideas of interesting things to do in each of the cities you will visit. Fully read and understand the briefings and expectations you receive from the CITE team.
- Help with airport transfers.
- Welcome and meet the students at their accommodation when they arrive, help with their check in (and check out), and assist in taking their luggage to their rooms.
Skills and experience
Essential
- *A current student at the University of Leicester
- *A basic understanding of and empathy with the needs of international students
- *Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to demonstrate behaviours that are in accordance with the University values of inclusive, inspiring and impactful
- Good communication skills
- A friendly and open disposition
- Cultural awareness and willingness to engage with Japanese Students
- *Proactive and able to problem solve, and to remain calm in a difficult or unexpected situation
- Energy, enthusiasm and resourcefulness
- Reliability and punctuality
- Basic social media ability
- *Ability and willingness to work in the evenings and at weekends
Desirable
- Experience of studying or living in a different country
- Experience studying overseas or a track record of interacting with international students
* Criteria used to shortlist candidates for interview
Location
See advert
Benefits
How to apply: Please ensure you apply with a tailored covering letter and CV indicating why you consider yourself suitable for the role.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 16th November at 23:59pm*
*Due to the volume of applications we receive, any indicated closing date is subject to change at the hiring managers discretion. Please ensure if you are interested in a position, you apply at the earliest available opportunity.
Anticipated interview date: Assessment Centres will be held on Tuesday 2nd December for this role
Departmental contact for queries: Tamara Thompson, CITE Business Development Manager, tt198@le.ac.uk
Please note
Please ensure to save a copy of this advert if you apply for this post, as it will no longer appear on the website when closed, and you may require this throughout the application process.
Careers Service Support
It may be useful to complete My Skills Portfolio to help you assess and understand the transferable skills you already have which can be applied to your application.If you are looking for further support with your application including how to write a CV or Cover Letter, please visit the University of Leicester Careers and Employability Service webpages HERE. We would encourage you to attend an application coaching appointment, and these can be booked via MyCareers, or in person in the Career Hub, David Wilson Library.
Unitemps is acting as an Employment Business, supplying temporary workers, in relation to this vacancy.
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