International Peer Mentoring
The peer mentoring program helps new international students adjust to campus life at Utah State University (USU). A mentor is someone from the same country as the new student who has gone through the same challenges and difficulties. He or she will help the new international student make a smooth transition to life at USU. The program runs during the fall and spring semesters.
Students who want to be a mentor or mentee must fill out an Application Form and bring it to the Office of International Students and Scholars, Taggart Student Center 313.
Who Can Volunteer to Be a Mentor?
- Any international student who has been at USU more than one semester.
- Any international student with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
What Does a Mentor Do?
- Assists a new international student to adjust to life at USU—see suggested activities.
- Answers any questions that the new student has about the university and community.
- Contacts mentee at least once a week throughout the semester.
- Meets with mentee during student orientation.
- Communicates with the program coordinator about how things are going at least twice a semester.
Who Can Be a Mentee?
- Any new international student who wants to have a mentor.
- Any new international student who has registered for the current fall or spring semester.
What Does a Mentee Do?
- Allows mentor to help with the adjustment to life at USU—see suggested activities below.
- Contacts mentor with questions about university or community.
- Contacts mentor at least once a week.
- Communicates with the program coordinator about how things are going at least twice a semester.
Suggested Activities
- Show around campus
- Show around local community (see University and Local Resources)
- Meet for lunch or coffee
- Visit grocery stores
- Visit shopping centers such as Wal-Mart or Cache Valley Mall
- Visit the university bookstore
- Visit the university libraries
- Visit the HPER
- Visit a bank and show how to use the lobby service and the ATM
- Visit the post office
- Teach how to use campus and public phones
- Invite the mentee to your home
- Attend university sports events
- Go to a play, concert, or movie