University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: August 4, 2010

Mentors sought for new international students

UB staff and domestic students are being recruited to serve as mentors for newly arrived international students during the fall 2010 semester. Participants need not know about other cultures, speak other languages or have traveled overseas. Indeed, all that is required, says Jessica Ereiz, assistant director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and mentoring program coordinator, is the desire to help others and having an interest in people from other cultural backgrounds. Participants gain the opportunity, she adds, to learn about other cultures, as they assist international students in acclimating to campus life.

Each mentor will be paired with two newly arrived international students, and the commitment is for one semester. Mentors must be available to meet with their mentees 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.

Separate half-day training sessions will take place for both mentors and mentees. Mentors will learn about the mentees’ culture or cultures, receive valuable information about campus resources, and learn tips on how to best interact with someone from another country. Optional monthly “mentor only” meetings will enable mentors to share experiences, get answers to questions and provide feedback on the program. An end-of-semester party will celebrate participants’ mentoring accomplishments.

The mentoring program is being sponsored by ISSS and UB Counseling Services. Click here to fill out the mentor application. Questions about the program may be directed to Ereiz at 645-2258 or jlkumro@buffalo.edu.

Communication workshop set for Sept. 23

The remaining workshop in the “Becoming a Better Communicator” series sponsored by Human Resources will take place Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in 324 Crofts Hall, North Campus.

This foundational course uses the DiSC communication styles profile to provide participants with insights into their own communication styles. It helps build a foundation for presenting ideas to others, offering constructive feedback and gathering information more effectively.

Furthermore, the course will cover factors that may impact the way others receive your messages, and how to improve understanding of communication styles to improve interaction, build trust and achieve results. “Becoming a Better Communicator” also offers practical skills and tools for actively listening to others.

Click here for more information and to register.