The UNSW Rural Clinical Campus at Port Macquarie has established a buddy program to assist first year
students in their transition to university. The program pairs a small group of first year students with a fifth year buddy who offers mentorship and guidance on medical student life. The program also provides a
platform for first-year students to develop relationships with one another. Senior students can be an
important link between junior students and staff, alerting academics when they feel a first year student
requires support.