The International Studies Office at UVA is launching a peer mentorship program for new undergraduate international students, starting this summer! Incoming students will be assigned an upperclassman mentor from their country or region, who can be a point of contact in their adjustment process. 

Why UVA Needs a Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program for International Students

With approximately 800 undergraduates coming from more than 80 countries, we have the potential to build a strong and vibrant international student community at UVA. One approach to this is to create and sustain an engaging experience for our newest international students. International students have a diverse range of identities and are tasked with acclimating to college life in the United States while learning to be more independent. The Global P2P program will serve to guide new students through these challenges and in the process create stronger bonds between and among the University’s international students. 

The goals of the peer mentor program are: 

• To allow incoming students to get to know other students from their country or region, thereby strengthening their ties to their cultural background while at UVA
• To provide a channel for incoming students to ask direct questions to an upperclassman, ranging from academic advice to joining clubs and making friends, making the adjustment process for new international students less strenuous. 
• To foster a stronger sense of community between different groups of international students, from different regions and different academic and social interests. 

Why You Should Become a Peer Mentor

“Wish I had this program my first year!” - rising third year international student

Getting settled on grounds can be rough, and knowing what you know now about life at UVA, you may wish you had done things differently. Being a peer mentor allows you to pass along what you know to new students and alleviate the anxiety they have about entering a new phase of their life far away from home. Your time and knowledge as a mentor to an incoming student can help shape their future decisions and experiences in meaningful ways. Most of all, you and your mentee may also form an invaluable friendship by bonding over interests shaped from shared regional and other identities.

What does it mean to be a mentor?

• Fill out the sign-up form below!
• Read our training guide to help you become the best mentor you can be
• We are looking for rising 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-year undergraduate international students (non-immigrant visa status) or students who have lived abroad for a significant period (i.e., attended middle school or high school internationally, but permanently reside in the United States)
• Summer 2023: Contact your mentor over email or social media and be available to answer questions and/or provide academic, career, or student life support to your mentee
• Academic year 2023: (Optionally) attend 2-3 ISO-organized meet and greet events with your mentee, allowing you to network with other international students from all over the globe!

Sign up now!

Be a MENTOR - https://forms.office.com/r/dwCd11WaC7

Be a MENTEE - https://forms.office.com/r/R5Twpt0KW1

Matches will be made starting early July. Have questions or need more information? Email [email protected]!