Requirements for Prospective InterLink Mentors
- Must be a full-time undergraduate at UMW in good standing with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Must have completed at least one year of study at UMW
- Must attend Interlink Mentor Orientation
- Must complete the Interlink Mentor Application
- Study Abroad or overseas experience desirable, but not required
Expectations
- Initiate contact with your linked student during orientation and the first week of classes
- Maintain weekly or bi-weekly contact with your linked student throughout the semester
- Attend at least one CIE International Student Event with your linked student during the semester
- Attend at least two other UMW programs with your linked student each semester (e.g., athletic events, James Farmer Multicultural Center Programs, UPC programs in The Underground, UMW traditions like Rocktoberfest or Devil Goat Day)
- Inform the Interlink Advisor of any concerns or problems you experience, including inability to make contact or poor communication with your linked student
- Provide a brief report at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters about your experience as an InterLink Mentor, including feedback and suggestions for improving the InterLink Mentor Program (e.g., propose a new event; suggest other forms of compensation in addition to early arrival and knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s life)
Additional Information
Linked students are advised that they should NOT ask their mentor for any of the following forms of assistance. Likewise, you should know that Interlink Mentors are NOT responsible for and should NOT feel obligated to:
- Offer housing to students, either during the academic year or during breaks
- Provide transportation to and from the airport or around the city
- Spend any money on, or loan any money to, the student for food, clothes, entertainment, etc.
- Give advice or intervene in academic, legal, or employment matters
In the event you are asked to take on any of these tasks (or find yourself in any other uncomfortable situation), please notify CIE right away so we can help manage the problem.
InterLink Mentors will receive a monthly email message from the Center for International Education informing them of events Mentors might enjoy attending with their linked student, as well as one featured event that all international students and InterLink Mentors are highly encouraged to attend. Likewise, if you know of any upcoming events which we should include in this monthly message, please let us know.
We hope you will join us in this program designed to link new international students with internationally-minded American students at the University of Mary Washington. You’ll enjoy some benefits from your cross-cultural relationship as well as helping someone else.
Questions?
Contact the Center for International Education
Lee Hall, Suite 434
Email: cie@umw.edu
Phone: 540.654.1434