国际学生导师计划

The mentor/mentee friendship is built over time and through ongoing visits during 这个学生在九州娱乐官网的学习.  尽管国际学生 are very likely to be familiar with different aspects of U.S. 文化、现实、 especially in a small town in a rural county, may not be as expected.  有很多 reasons why international students  participate in the program, but many say that they like to be part of the mentor program to:

• 体验美国的“真实生活”
• 满足你.S.-社区里的美国人
• 提高英语口语水平
• Experience life outside of the college campus
• Learn about career experiences and opportunities (please note that international students cannot legally work off-campus due to their visa status outside of academic training, curricular practical training, and occupational practical training)

After an initial meeting, the mentee and mentor decide how often they would like to meet (weekly or biweekly meetings is the norm; although the meeting times vary based on the availability of both the mentor and mentees). 

 

 

• Learn more about a particular region/country
• Practice language skills or learn a new language
• 通过给予他人来丰富自己的生活
• 扩大他们对其他文化的欣赏
• Introduce their children to international students so they can broaden their understanding 世界和其他文化.

 

Mentors and students are asked to meet locally within a 100 mile radius of Washington 大学. Overnight stays and travel outside the 100 mile local area are not sanctioned 按程序.  Ideas for local outings include things such as Chestertown’s First 星期五，参加节日传统活动(如.e. 在万圣节前后雕刻南瓜)， attending a local event such as Downrigging Weekend, taking in a show at Gibson or the Garfield, attending a high school sporting event, or meeting for tea, coffee or 一顿饭.  

This experience should be rewarding to both the mentor and mentee.  如果学员 is not responsive to the mentor’s request to get together, the mentor should contact the primary contact at the GEO to talk with the student to assess their interest and the 他们反应迟钝的原因.  If a mentee is asking things of the mentor outside the scope of the program such as a ride to the airport/mall or storage of their things over summer break the mentor can share with their mentee that they are unable to assist with these issues and encourage them to talk to the 全球教育办公室 for assistance.  A student asking to stay at the home of a mentor over breaks is also outside the scope of the program and not sanctioned by the 大学 or the mentor program. 

Mentors are all volunteers and the best occasions are usually free – for example, a visit to the mentor’s home to share a dinner with the family, or to join in a family celebration or to participate in a holiday tradition.  如果学生和导师 do go out to dinner or visit a local attraction with an entrance fee, it is best for 每个人自己付自己的路.  The important thing is to discuss who will pay ahead of time so that the mentee is aware of his/her financial commitment in partaking 在活动中.

In response to the growth in the international student population 在九州娱乐官网, GEO has developed some prerequisites for participating in the program.  这些需求 are aimed at fostering strong relationships between mentors and students, while adhering to best practices for mentoring and student safety.  The two main changes are that (1) Mentor volunteers need to undergo a routine background check and sign a liability waiver and (2) mentors and mentees are asked to keep their outings and activities local (within 100 miles of campus).