International Student Mentoring Program
Leaving behind family and friends to come to another country is a life-changing experience. Arriving alone in a new place can also be very challenging. The International Student Mentoring Program assists international students in overcoming these challenges.
About the Program
A joint initiative of ISS and UB’s Counseling Services, the ISMP provides social support for newly arrived international students and reduces their isolation. It also provides an avenue for international students to socialize with individuals outside their cultural group and to learn from students who have experience adapting to the U.S. and UB.
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Are You Interested in Becoming a Cultural Partner?
The primary goal of the International Student Mentoring Program (ISMP) is to unite students.
We aim to internationalize the UB campus, encourage a global mindset, and reduce the isolation felt by newly arrived international students. To achieve these goals, we need dedicated UB students and staff to serve as Cultural Partners for newly arrived international students. This program is open to both domestic and international community members. We are looking for people who:
- Have an interest in learning about other cultures
- Have a strong desire to help others
- Are interested in showing people around UB and Buffalo
- Are interested in sharing their home culture
- Are undergraduates (junior or senior year), graduate students, UB staff members, or retired UB staff members
If you meet the qualifications above, please complete the application below. If you are chosen to participate, you will be informed via email by Monday, September 16, 2019. Additional program details are below:
- Cultural Partners are paired with two newly arrived international students
- All participants must attend a half-day training program held on Saturday, September 28, 2019. (More information will be provided if you are chosen to participate.)
- Cultural Partner groups are encouraged to meet once every 2-3 weeks for a minimum of one hour. The commitment is for one academic year
- Regular group activities will be coordinated by International Student Services
- There will be an end of the year party to celebrate everyone's experience, receive certificates and give feedback on the program
- Cultural Partners will have the opportunity in the Spring 2020 semester to add another student to their group
If you are interested, please complete our application by Sunday, September 15, 2019. For any questions, please contact Caitlin Rioux at iss@buffalo.edu.
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