Bristol Voices and Global Voices
Our Bristol Voices and Global Voices programmes connect students and Bristol alumni all over the world to facilitate cultural exchange and help students discover their new community.
Bristol Voices
Are you based in Bristol? Bristol Voices pairs 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, which runs between September and December, offers alumni and students an opportunity for cultural exchange, and has previously partnered students from 26 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.
This is a flexible opportunity with an expected commitment of friendly welcome advice over email or messages during September, at least one in-person meeting, and informal communication throughout the term. The expected time commitment is 3 to 6 hours between August and December.
We will match alumni with students based on the answers you provide in the application form.
We will be hosting 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.
If you would like to apply to take part in Bristol Voices in 2025, either as an alumni volunteer or as an international student coming to Bristol, then please complete our online application form.
If you have any questions regarding the programme please contact Sarah Price, Engagement Officer.
Global Voices
Are you a Bristol alumni based in any of the below countries?
Europe: France, Germany, Spain, Italy or the Netherlands.
Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong or Republic of Korea.
Americas: USA, Chile or Mexico.
Australia
Our new Global Voices programme pairs alumni volunteers with Bristol students embarking on their year abroad.
Alumni can offer local advice, guidance and encouragement, while students can share their own culture and experiences with the volunteer. We encourage pairs to meet up in person if possible.
This is a flexible opportunity with an expected time commitment of approximately three hours, consisting of around three emails, phone calls or coffee meetups between July and December 2025.
We will match internationally based alumni with students based on location and the answers you provide in the application form.
If you can't commit to being matched with a student you can offer your advice about your local area, which we will share with students who are moving abroad.
We are looking for alumni in the below countries who can meet with students as they settle into life in their study abroad destination, 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.
Global Voices is open to all Bristol study-abroad students who will be moving to one of the following countries:
Europe: France, Spain, Italy, Germany or the Netherlands.
Asia: Singapore, Republic of Korea or Hong Kong.
Americas: The USA, Mexico or Chile.
Australia
Applications for this year's Global Voices programme are now closed. If you would like to be notified of when applications open for 2026, please email alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk.
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.