Bridge in Process : Rethinking the Buddy Program as a System for Intercultural Engagement

In recent years, a growing number of students have chosen to study abroad for higher education. Universities face increasing demands to provide not only excellent academic education, but also foster socially sustainable environments that encourage intercultural engagement and inclusion, and many universities have created programs that help international students adjust to their new environment. At Linnaeus University, initiatives like the Buddy Program are structured to support international students to integrate into Swedish society and academic life. Many of them still face challenges in the form of language barriers, social integration and limited interaction with local peers. These challenges not only affect their educational experiences while studying abroad, but also raise concerns about the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of such support structures. To address these gaps, this design project employed a service design framework, combining intercultural adaptation theory (Kim, 2001), Max-Neef’s Human Scale Development model (1991), and interdisciplinary design principles (Klein, 2010) . The result was a proposed systemic Buddy Program journey map composed of multiple touchpoints generated through a co-creation workshop involving both international and local students. Among these touchpoints, a key digital interactive social map platform was designed to visualise student-generated social opportunities, in order to facilitate sustained and meaningful intercultural relationships. By integrating theory and practice, this project indicates the value of interdisciplinary, user-centered and participatory design approaches in designing socially sustainable interventions in higher education. This research promotes the discussion around sustainable development in education, aligning with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and offers actionable recommendations for institutional changes and long-term community resilience.