The Buddy Program is an informal network platform meant to better prepare first time HRC candidates by introducing current HRC J1 participants in the USA and/or HRC alumni in their home country prior to leaving to the USA*. 

You can obtain general information from the HRC alumnus about the country, region or city where you will go and ideally even the hotel where you will have your career program. This HRC volunteer can assist you during your first few weeks to get to know the city, to meet some people, places to go to, possibly even with finding a car, etc.  What better preparation for a life changing experience abroad than the information form someone who has been there, done that?  

* depending on location