User blog:JayeMalik'/Hogwarts' Buddy System



Hi, guys! I'm back at it again with another off-the-head idea that I want your input on!

Alright, so earlier today, I had a marvelous burst of ideas, one of which was a student exchange program accompanied by a buddy system. I delved further into the idea, broadened it a little, threw it around, and received a surprising amount of interest. I have the general concept here, what it entails, and sign-ups. Please, by all means, let me know if you wish to join, have any doubts, or simply want to offer constructive criticism.

The Department of Magical Education has decided to implement an exchange student program, as well as award select international students with a full ride to attend Hogwarts!

What is this?
A long-term exchange is one which lasts six to ten months or up to one full year. Participants attend high school in their host countries, through a student visa. Long-term (10 to 12 month) exchange applications and interviews generally take place 10 months in advance of departure, but sometimes as little as four months. Students generally must be between the ages of 15 and 18.5.

Here, what we're doing is that exchange program students will attend an entire academic year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Likewise, Hogwarts' students will also have the chance to do a year abroad at any of the major schools. Unfortunately, we don't have any existing active wikis for the other schools, which limits your chances of RPing your Hogwarts students at another country. It'd be more of an off-screen chance to develop your character (i.e. if you're tired of them/want a break, then you can send them to Ilvermorny, Castelobruxo, or any of the other major schools).

Like I stated earlier, students will be able to attend an entire academic year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They will arrive with three weeks in advance at Great Britain, and take up rooms at Bishop Hotel. This will give students and parents enough time to collect their books, materials and uniforms from the necessary shops, visit the Ministry to get their affairs in order, and also meet their assigned Hogwarts buddy, who will be tasked with guiding them through their shopping, getting them around Hogwarts, teaching them Hogwarts traditions and accompanying them in Hogsmeade trips.

Are there restrictions?
Yes, there are restrictions. For instance, only the major schools are allowed to partake in the student exchange program. They are:


 * Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
 * They offer schooling to wizards and witches from France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium.
 * Castelobruxo
 * They offer schooling to wizards and witches from every country in Middle and South America.
 * Durmstrang Institute
 * They offer schooling to wizards and witches from Northern and Eastern Europe, although they're known to take students from all over the world without any qualms. Moreover, they only accept half-blood and pure-blood students.
 * Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
 * They offer schooling to wizards and witches from all over North America.
 * Koldovztoretz
 * They offer schooling to wizards and witches from Russia.
 * Mahoutokoro School of Magic
 * They offer schooling to wizards and witches from Japan. Nonetheless, because there aren't any other major Asian schools, we're allowing any and every Asian witch/wizard to attend Mahoutokoro, unless they're attending another school for one reason or the other.
 * Uagadou School of Magic
 * They offer schooling to wizards and witches from every African country.

Likewise, only students in their fifth, sixth and seventh years are allowed to partake in this program with parental permission. This is to adhere to what is considered normal for the muggles (i.e. 15 to 18.5 years old). There is also a very interesting limitation when it comes to the country these students come from. I've created a list of countries for people to create characters from. There is only 1 character per country listed. Each character has 1 buddy assigned to them. The countries will be listed below.

Countries

 * Greece
 * The Highland Lady
 * TBA
 * Italy
 * Acatonthemoon
 * TBA
 * Russia
 * JayeMalik'
 * TBA
 * United States
 * Brazil
 * China
 * France
 * Time
 * TBA
 * South Korea
 * India
 * United Arab Emirates
 * Syria
 * Israel
 * BlueAndGrey
 * TBA
 * Germany
 * DYSUTOPIA
 * TBA
 * Norway
 * Victoria
 * TBA
 * Madagascar
 * Dira
 * TBA
 * Philippines
 * Thailand
 * AceOfAegi
 * TBA

All these countries have to be filled up before I can add any more. Please keep this in mind! If you wish to make one of them, then by all means, please comment. Likewise, if you want a character of yours to be a buddy, then please comment their name, year, house, and the top 2 countries you want them to buddy to! If you have no preference, please state so. These buddies also have to be in their fifth through seventh years, just so you guys know!

Ending information
This will be taking place this coming school year, kind of as a test run to see how things work. If it's a successful event, then I'll see to it we hold them with more frequency!! If you have any questions, comments, or want to sign up, please do so in the comments!!

Also, we'll be holding an RP in Week 13 to have them all meet up with their buddies! So please, work on them, guys!