International Peer Mentor Program
Overview
The International Peer Mentor (IPM) program assists new international undergraduate students in making a successful academic and personal transition to Boston University and helps them acquire cultural knowledge, make new friendships, and understand the campus resources available to them.
The program matches new students (“mentees”) with trained current students (“mentors”) based on background, common interests, academics, and professional goals during their first semester. In the fall semester, the program runs from July until November. In the spring semester, the program runs from January until April.
Mentors and mentees will agree upon the style and frequency of communication. Mentees will engage with their mentors in one-on-one as well as in group settings by attending events and programs offered during orientation and throughout their first semester.
Mentors
Responsibilities and Expectations
- Facilitate the academic and social integration of incoming international first-year undergraduate students to Boston University.
- Communicate regularly and effectively through at least monthly check-ins with assigned mentees via social media, email, and/or text prior to their arrival at Boston University once matched, as well as throughout their mentees’ first semester. Mentors will be given guided questions each month to help with communication.
- Attend training session in May and at least two campus events of choice during the semester with mentees (e.g., IPM Welcome Reception, athletic events, cultural events)
- Complete IPM Program evaluation surveys.
Qualifications
- Must be a current freshman, sophomore, or junior in good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing with the University.
- Have the ability to relate to a diverse group of people and demonstrate a commitment to promoting intercultural understanding and global engagement
- Possess knowledge regarding campus and community resources to share with mentees.
Compensation
This is a volunteer position.
Mentees
Responsibilities and Expectations
- Communicate at least monthly with the assigned mentor via social media, email, and/or text. It is important that mentees make the same level of commitment as their mentor. This includes being responsive to your mentor and making time in your schedule for regular meetings throughout the program.
- Attend at least two campus events of choice during the semester with their mentor (e.g., IPM Welcome Reception, athletic events, cultural events)
- Complete IPM Program evaluation surveys
Benefits of Having a Mentor
- Acquire knowledge of and navigate cultural, academic, and social adjustment to college.
- Get to know BU (academic life, social activities, resources) and Boston.
- Establish a support network of peers.
What can you discuss with your Mentor?
- How do I manage the transition to college in a different country/culture?
- How do I overcome homesickness and culture shock?
- How do I balance the demands of schoolwork and personal life?
- How do I make connections with peers, professors, and professional contacts?
- What are available resources to help set me up for academic, social, and career success?
