The International Student Mentorship Programme is a volunteer peer-mentor programme in which new international students (known as “mentees”) are connected with current FNU students (known as “mentors”) who volunteer their time to help mentees settle into the University and life in Fiji.
The mentors are a mix of local and international students who are trained to provide ongoing social support, assistance and guidance through one-on-one meetings and social activities (coffee meetings, shopping, study sessions, etc.) throughout the mentee’s first semester. Their goal is to support their mentees to succeed at FNU.
Each mentor is assigned a mentee to support their transition into the university, which ultimately aids them to succeed at FNU. The mentees meet their mentor during the orientation week at the start of the semester. After that, they meet at least three times within the first three weeks of the semester and as needed during the semester. The student pairs are encouraged to continue to check-in with each other every month by email and in-person throughout the semester.
Mentees: New international students in the first semester of their undergraduate programme.
Mentors: FNU students in either an undergraduate or a graduate programme who have attended the university for at least one semester. Check the “How do you become a Mentor?” section below to learn more about how to volunteer to be a mentor.
Mentees (new international students): This programme is a wonderful way to meet other students and learn about FNU’s services and resources from someone familiar with FNU.
Mentors: This is a tremendous opportunity to gain leadership, intercultural communication skills and volunteer experience. This will also be a chance to experience rich cultural diversity, meet new people and have fun!
Mentor commitment involves continued communication with the new student through email, monthly meetings, and optional social activities. The programme duration is one semester, but mentors are invited to continue their participation for additional semesters. Each semester, mentors will be matched with new mentees.
The selection of mentors will be based on merit, availability, and via Become a Mentor Application submission. Application for S1, 2020 Mentor position will open from 4th December 2019 to 16th Feb 2020.
To be eligible to apply, you must satisfy the following criteria:
Read a detailed description of competencies in the peer mentor position description.
If you have any questions about the peer mentor position, please contact clte@fnu.ac.fj
Please submit the Request a Mentor application form if you will be a new FNU international student in the upcoming semester, and you would like to be matched with a peer mentor for your first semester.
How much time do I need to commit to the programme and my mentor/mentee?
Firstly, as a mentor, you must attend the training session, ‘meet and greet’ session and other meetings held by the coordinator. You can spend an hour with your mentor/mentee for each session in the first 3 weeks of the semester. During the semester, it is as per need basis, whereupon you can liaise with your mentees.
What if I am unable to attend an event or meeting?
You can contact the coordinator or mentee a day in advance and inform them.
How are incoming mentees paired with mentors?
As part of the application process, we ask all mentors and mentees what qualities would be important to them in a mentor/mentee pairing. Some mentors/mentees request to be paired based on cultural, geographical, or linguistic similarities, while others prefer to be paired together based on shared academic or personal interests. We then do our best to pair prospective mentors and mentees together using this information.
What do I do if my mentor or mentee is unresponsive or decides to no longer participate in the programme?
We understand that there are often unforeseen circumstances that may cause students to withdraw from the programme. If this happens, please email us at clte@fnu.ac.fj
How will this programme benefit me as a mentor?
You will get a professional reference and a certificate of appreciation, together with developing professional skills and experience and gain an international network.
What if I have a question that is not answered here?
Please feel free to email us at clte@fnu.ac.fj