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Welcome to the Global Lions Mentor (GLM) Program! This peer mentorship program provides an opportunity for international and domestic students to experience what it is like to create a positive impact on a fellow student’s life. The role of such mentors is to serve as voluntary guides to new international students. The mentors help the incoming students effectively, as they transition into the Penn State Harrisburg campus community by sharing and imparting wisdom, skills and providing adequate support.
Mentor recruitment takes place via e-mail invitation at the beginning of the spring semester of each academic year. The application to participate, as a mentee, is open to incoming international students prior to arriving at Penn State Harrisburg. The Global Lions Mentor staff will email new international students the application form once they are accepted into the university. All new international students, in their first semester, are eligible for the GLM program. Once mentees complete the application to join the program, they will be introduced to their assigned Global Lion Mentor. We look forward to you joining the GLM program and experiencing the multiple benefits the program has to offer!
Mentor Application Process
The GLM program begins recruiting mentors in January for the following academic year. At this time (January), applications will be open and available online. After the application deadline, applications will be reviewed and students will be notified and possibly invited for a short interview. Following the completion of the interviews, students will again be notified and potential mentors will then need to attend the required training. Once this training is completed, mentors will be ready to receive mentees.
Benefits of Being a Mentor
This volunteer opportunity will help you build your interpersonal skills and expand your global connections and perspective by interacting with your peers. Most importantly, the Global Lions Mentor program involvement is self-fulfilling in that the experience will be rewarding as you help someone succeed and overcome hurdles as they transition into a new culture.
Involvement of Domestic Students in the GLM Program
The GLM program would greatly benefit from having more domestic students as mentors. They can serve as a bridge between the international students to their American peers and as a connection to the local community. In addition, this volunteer opportunity offers an opportunity for both domestic and international students to enhance their personal growth and development through cross-cultural experiences.
Mentor Time Commitment
The GLM program is a year-long commitment beginning with the required training in the Spring Semester. Mentors may begin receiving mentees as early as May. The time that you have to invest is flexible, and depends on your academic commitments. However, we encourage you to reach out to your mentee at least once a week especially, during the first two months, as this time period is the most crucial for the new students' adjustment.
Mentor Requirements
Mentors are required to hold a minimum 2.5 GPA, should have a desire to assist new international students, go through the interview process, and attend a mandatory training. In addition, mentors are required to frequently be in touch with their mentees during the academic year, and attend at least 2 GLM events in a semester.
Changing the Assigned Mentor/Mentee
Students always have the option of changing the assigned mentor or mentee. If there is any reason that is causing you discomfort, please feel free to contact Wendy Moynihan at [email protected] and they will assign you with a new mentor or mentee.
