Peer-mentors for incoming students

    From UNITApedia

    Category of recipe: Internationalisation through national and international students.

    Objective: Encouraging local students to actively participate in internationalisation; engaging in international experiences beyond physical mobility; fostering peer mentorship to enhance the experience of incoming international students; creating a supportive environment where local students share knowledge and cultural insights; developing global competence and employability skills.

    Short description:
    Square blue.png This initiative boosts the involvement of local students in internationalisation by encouraging them to become peer‑mentors for incoming international students.
    Square blue.png As “buddy friends,” local students support international peers during their mobility by assisting with daily life tasks (e.g., shopping, translation, healthcare, scheduling).
    Square blue.png The mentoring experience fosters intercultural exchange through storytelling, testimonials, and multimedia sharing (e.g., videos, photos).
    Square blue.png Additionally, returning mobility students can act as mentors, sharing insights about their experiences abroad—including accommodation tips, academic expectations, and cultural adaptation.
    Square blue.png This peer‑driven support system enhances the mobility experience, promotes inclusion, and encourages future participation in international programmes.


    Academic recognition: Official recognition of the peer‑mentor role in the Diploma Supplement. Optional certification of participation may be included in students’ academic or professional portfolios.

    Level of difficulty: Easy

    Calendar and time needed:

    • The programme should be implemented every academic year.
    • Peer‑mentoring can take place before, during, and after the mobility period to provide continuous support.
    • Institutions may set fixed time frames for matching mentors with incoming students, typically at the start of each semester.


    Cost summary: Not applicable.

    Language and level required: B1–B2 level in the university’s main language or English is recommended.

    Roles and Responsibilities:
    Square blue.png International Relations Officers (or UNITA Office):

    • Oversee and promote the peer‑mentoring initiative.
    • Manage student matching and maintain a record of mentor activities.
    • Provide training and guidance for peer‑mentors.

    Square blue.png Professors (if involved in coordinating the initiative):

    • Encourage participation and integrate peer‑mentoring into broader internationalisation efforts.

    Square blue.png Student associations:

    • Help recruit and engage students in the programme.
    • Organise social and cultural activities for mentees and mentors.

    Square blue.png Advisor in Internationalisation (if there is such a person in the university):

    • Ensure that peer‑mentoring aligns with the university’s overall internationalisation strategy.
    • Provide insights on institutional best practices for peer support and cultural adaptation.

    Square blue.png Pedagogical Engineers (if there is such a person in the university):

    • Assist in designing digital resources and mentoring frameworks to enhance the programme.
    • Support innovation in mentoring methodologies and ensure alignment with pedagogical goals.


    Ingredients:
    Square blue.png Proactive students willing to engage in internationalisation.
    Square blue.png Student associations to facilitate integration activities.
    Square blue.png Language courses to support communication between mentors and mentees.
    Square blue.png Mobility students as both mentors and mentees.
    Square blue.png Cultural activities to strengthen interaction and community‑building.
    Square blue.png Institutional recognition framework for peer‑mentoring activities.

    Recipe steps:
    Before implementation:
    Square blue.png Step 1: Develop a framework for the mentoring programme, outlining its goals and expected outcomes.
    Square blue.png Step 2: Establish selection criteria for peer‑mentors.
    Square blue.png Step 3: Recruit mentors through institutional communication channels and student associations.
    Square blue.png Step 4: Match international students with peer‑mentors based on shared interests or study fields.
    Square blue.png Step 5: Provide an orientation session or handbook for peer‑mentors.

    During the programme:
    Square blue.png Step 1: During the programme, support peer‑mentors and mentees through regular check‑ins.
    Square blue.png Step 2: Encourage participation in intercultural events and group activities.
    Square blue.png Step 3: Monitor the impact of the programme through student feedback.
    Square blue.png Step 4: Encourage students to reflect on their experience to foster further engagement with internationalisation initiatives.

    After completion:
    Square blue.png Step 1: After completion, issue a certificate of participation to active peer‑mentors.
    Square blue.png Step 2: Gather testimonials and best practices for future improvements.
    Square blue.png Step 3 Promote success stories to encourage future participation.

    Budget description:

    • Cost for the Organising Institution: No direct costs required, but universities should approve a list of mentoring activities that align with institutional resources and support structures.
    • Business model of the activity: Peer‑mentoring is a voluntary activity but can be incentivised through academic recognition or social engagement opportunities.
    • Budget Type / Sources of Revenue:
      • Institutional support (if any).
      • Erasmus+ programme funding (for related internationalisation activities).
      • Student associations’ funding (if they organise social events for peer‑mentors and mentees).


    Non-mandatory items[edit | edit source]

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