The Challenge: International students travel from distant countries to study for a year and want to integrate into the local culture. However, they often face barriers that cause emotional loneliness and practical difficulties in understanding everyday local life.

The Context: The project took place in the city of Kuldīga, Latvia, a town that hosts international Erasmus Mundus master degree students. Each year, a cohort of around 30 students arrives from different parts of the world, including India, Brazil, the Philippines, Australia, Colombia, China, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mexico, the USA, Canada, Finland and many more countries.

While the town is beautiful and offers a wonderful experience, integrating into a small city has its challenges. Everyday services and information might not always be available in English, the local culture tends to be reserved and a bit introverted. This makes it hard for students to understand local traditions, leaving them feeling lost and left out even when they want to integrate. The long and dark winters, when the city turns quiet and locals spend more time indoors, can become especially overwhelming for students from such diverse backgrounds.

The Approach: The process began by researching student experiences to understand their wishes and needs, as well as exploring local residents' interests and practical possibilities. A test pilot project was then designed. This required close collaboration with the university, the local municipality, the students, and the local residents.

Solution: The concept "Local buddy: a local friend for an international student" was developed. The goal was to provide practical support and social connections for students moving to Kuldīga. Participation was completely voluntary, serving as a new innovation in the city.

The Pilot: During the first year, an open information session was organized with the municipality to see if locals would be willing to open their homes and lives to students. The interest was surprisingly high.

Implementation: Following the information session, students were carefully matched with local mentors. Practical communication and daily support were provided to help everyone navigate early cultural differences. The first pilot year achieved outstanding results. Because the foundation was built successfully, the university and the Municipality took over the project. As of 2026, the program has been operating successfully for two years.

The Impact: The program created immediate and meaningful social value:

• Deep Integration: Students became a true part of local families. They celebrated holidays together, traveled around Latvia, and experienced the culture firsthand.

• Community Growth: The cultural exchange worked both ways. Locals and their close circles expanded their network and experience by welcoming an international student into their family activities. This was a first-time innovation in a small town that traditionally has close-knit communities.

• High Recognition: The initiative received excellent feedback from all participants for successfully bringing different groups of people together and improving the experiences of both students and locals.