The Peer Buddy Programme pairs incoming freshmen with UChum members who serve as their Buddies. From September through January, the Buddies accompany freshmen during their first five months of transition from secondary school to university, offering guidance and support along the way. With the start of the second term, this year’s Peer Buddy Programme concluded with two wrap-up activities organised by UChum members.

On 23 January, the “CUHK Fun Quiz Competition” took place. The Buddies designed the quiz questions themselves, covering practical aspects of CUHK life such as campus shortcuts, Student ID replacement procedures, building abbreviations, and department phone numbers. Participants were divided into a Buddy Team and a Freshmen Team, and the game incorporated elements of “Aeroplane Chess”: after answering a question correctly, each team rolled the dice, and the winner was determined by how far it advanced on the game board.

To heighten the excitement, both teams prepared penalty challenges for each other in advance. The losing team was required to complete specific tasks, adding suspense and fun to the event. Although the Freshmen Team took an early lead, the Buddy Team rallied and ultimately secured victory. The Freshmen Team completed the penalty challenges with good sportsmanship, filling the venue with laughter.

Two days later, on 25 January, the Buddies and freshmen gathered at a barbecue site in Tai Po. Around the charcoal grill, they prepared food and caught up on recent experiences – choosing courses, adjusting to hostel life, and exploring student societies and College activities — bringing this year’s Peer Buddy Programme to a warm close.

Although the programme has officially ended, its impact on the freshmen remains. To read reflections from students who participated in this year’s Peer Buddy Programme, please refer to the related feature article, “Embarking on a New Chapter: Ascending the Steep Slope of Change – A Feature on UC Peer Buddy Programme 25/26”.

Group photo at the BBQ gathering