UB staff and domestic students are being recruited to serve as cultural partners for newly arrived international students during the fall 2015 semester. Participants in the International Student Mentoring Program need not know about other cultures, speak other languages or have traveled overseas.

Each partner will be paired with two newly arrived international students; the commitment is for one semester. Mentors must be available to meet with their students for one hour every two weeks. The activity can be as simple as having lunch together, going for coffee or taking a walk, or as elaborate as visiting a local tourist attraction, going to a sports event or having a family dinner in one’s home.

Half-day training sessions will take place for all participants. Mentors will learn about their students’ culture or cultures, receive valuable information about campus resources available to students and learn tips on how to best interact with someone from another country. An end-of-semester party will celebrate participants’ accomplishments.

The International Student Mentoring Program is being sponsored by International Student and Scholar Services and Counseling Services. Those interested should fill out the application online.

Questions about the program may be directed to Jessica Ereiz at jlkumro@buffalo.edu or Chris Bragdon at cbragdon@buffalo.edu.