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Undergraduate Student Mentors Program

“Culture shock” is a real phenomenon experienced by many international students as they adjust to a new environment, climate, diet, culture, country, and institutional rules and regulations. The International Student Assistant Mentor program cannot claim that new international students will never suffer a bout of culture shock if they participate in the mentor program. However, International Student Assistant Mentors help to make the academic, personal, and social adjustment of many of our new students easier with the care and attention they bestow upon them. The experience that mentors have to offer as upper-class students is invaluable.

The international student mentors facilitate a successful transition to WVU and the USA for new undergraduate international students. They provide a support network for students, guidance and encouragement related to all facets of university and American life. They also interact on a personal level with new students and attend social, cultural, sporting and other events. Overall, mentors assume a big brother/sister role to create a positive university experience and provide participating students with the tools and support needed to succeed at WVU.

Goals of the program

  • To give international students a personal student resource on campus
  • To provide new international students emotional, informational and social support.
  • To enhance/promote intercultural experiences on campus
  • To provide an informal environment for new international students to ask questions and seek help from peers

Mentor Benefits

  • Development of leadership and interpersonal skills through intercultural sessions
  • Experience in program development and facilitating small groups
  • Making Friends with new international students

Mentee Benefits

  • Supportive acclimation process
  • Improved cross-cultural communication
  • Developing new friendships
  • Increased involvement in WVU community/activities/events

Program Requirements

  • Mentees will be assigned to a mentor and will be committed to meeting for 1-2 hours per week attending various programs and events across campus and around the Morgantown area for the entire fall semester

  • Mentees will be committed to attending mentor and mentee group activities (fun and challenging team building activities) scheduled once a month throughout the fall semester.

The success of a mentor and mentee relationship takes the commitment of both the mentor and mentee. If you are looking for a fun way to build new networks at WVU, and are committed to sparing some time to discover Morgantown with the help of a peer student, this program is for you. To participate in the mentor program, follow the link below to submit your application. Because mentors are limited, applications will be considered on a first-come basis. Because of the time commitment required for this program, please DO NOT complete the mentee application for anyone else.