Mentoring an International Student
Every year dozens of international students join the international master´s degree programmes offered at the University of Turku. In order to facilitate the integration and employment of the students, the University of Turku is piloting a mentoring programme for international students.
Mentoring refers to the sharing of views, skills and experiences with a less experienced partner. Mentoring supports and encourages students to manage their own learning to maximise their potential and develop their skills.
In the mentoring programme for international students, the mentors familiarise the students with the Finnish working life and culture as well as offer students a local contact network. Mentors are not required to find or offer work for the students.
The pilot programme starts in autumn 2008 and will last for the academinc year 2008-2009. Mentors and students commit to the programme for the entire academic year. Training for the mentors is organised in autumn 2008. The selected students will also be trained.
What does mentoring require of the mentor?
- ability and willingness to share knowledge, experience and contacts. Mentors must also have time to share with the students.
- awareness of cultural differences and the charasteristics of Finnish employers and work culture in Finland
- genuine interest in helping international students in assimilating into the Finnish work culture and assist them in finding and using their strenghts when looking for work
- good social and communication skills. The mentoring process is a dialogue between the mentor and the student. A good mentor asks the relevant questions, gives space for the student to reflect on his or her ideas as well as gives constructive feedback
- abillity to offer an objective point of view. A good mentor encourages the student to analyse his or her own potential and development
- a good mentor is interested in learning
What does mentoring an international students give to the mentor?
- mentors can discuss work and work related issues with the students and other mentors
- international students offer a different point of view to many work related and cultural issues
- an opportunity to get to know another culture
- mentoring is a very concrete way of keeping in touch with the university and current trends in education
- mentors get a good impression of the abilities and strenghts of the students and can, at the same time, develop their own expertise in their field
- an opportunity to build networks with both the students and the other mentors