Bristol Voices
Our award-winning Bristol Voices programme connects new international students with local alumni in Bristol to facilitate cultural exchange and help students discover their new community.
Bristol Voices
Are you based in Bristol? Bristol Voices pairs local alumni volunteers with international students, helping to welcome and support them as they settle into life at the University, in a new city and culture.
The programme offers alumni and students an opportunity for cultural exchange, and has previously partnered students from 28 different countries including India, Mexico, China, Germany, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, Turkey and the USA.
Starting life in a new place can be daunting, and alumni can help students make the most of their Bristol experience. Alumni can offer local advice, guidance and encouragement, while the students can share their own culture and experiences with the volunteer. We encourage pairs to meet up in places around the city that encourage this shared learning.
Bristol Voices has run successfully between September and December for five years. We are now introducing a pilot programme running between January and April 2026, to welcome students joining the University mid-academic year.
Our Bristol Voices programme has successfully run between September and December for five years. This year we are running a pilot to extend the programme to students starting at the University in January 2026.
Bristol Voices is a flexible opportunity with an expected commitment of friendly welcome advice over email or messages, at least one in-person meeting, and informal communication throughout the term. The expected time commitment is 3 to 6 hours during the four months the programme runs (either September to December or January to April).
We will match alumni with students based on the answers you provide in the application form.
We will host an event in the city for all Bristol Voices programme participants during the term, and also recommend pairs organise least one additional meet up on their own.
Bristol Voices welcomes all new international postgraduate students and new study abroad students based in Bristol. Get top tips on how to make the most of your time at Bristol as well as local advice while practising language skills or getting answers to questions about life in the UK.
We are looking for alumni of all ages who can meet with students as they settle into life in Bristol, offering guidance, local recommendations and a friendly chat. This is a social and fun role that offers the opportunity to make new connections from all walks of life.
Applications for Bristol Voices January 2026 are now open. Students and alumni volunteers can apply through our online application form here.
The application form will close at midnight on Monday 1 December 2025. We will introduce matches before Christmas 2025, ready for the students' arrival in Bristol at start of the academic term in January 2026.
If you have questions, or would like to be notified when applications for September 2026 are open, please email Sarah Price, Engagement Officer.
If you have any questions regarding the programme please contact Sarah Price, Engagement Officer.
* Please note that we do not expect alumni volunteers to provide professional wellbeing advice. If you are concerned about your own welfare or that of a student find out where to get help on our emergency help pages.