The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
The International Centre's Intercultural Experience programming provides opportunities for international and domestic students alike to gain skills, learn across cultural boundaries and build relationships with their peers.
Moving to a new country to study can bring many uncertainties. That's why the Welcome Mentors program pairs new international students with experienced UM students, allowing both to develop skills and meaningful relationships.
In the Welcome Mentors program, mentors provide one-on-one intercultural, personal and academic support to their mentees for one academic term. Mentors complete training to support mentees during their transition to university. Mentors benefit from the program as well, by developing leadership skills and gaining recognition on their Co-Curricular record.
All domestic and international students are encouraged to apply. For more information, contact erika.serranohidalgo@umanitoba.ca
Thank you for your interest in the Welcome Mentors Program! Please review the job description before applying to participate.
All domestic and international students, undergraduate or graduate are encouraged to apply. Student peer mentors must be:
Being a peer mentor is a great way to enhance your leadership, communication, and cross-cultural skills. Mentors help new students adjust to life in Winnipeg and at UM, and learn about their mentee's culture and country of origin. Being involved in the program is also a great way to get involved on campus, and meet other members of the UM community.
Mentors will meet and communicate virtually with their mentees for 15 hours over the course of an entire academic term (approximately January - April 2022).
Through the Welcome Mentors program, a peer mentor will provide support for common tasks, create a safe and open environment that encourages mentees to discuss their concerns and ask questions, make referrals to student services on campus if needed, and create a supportive environment for their mentee during their transition to the UM. Mentors will also be asked to provide feedback to the Program Coordinator about their experience.
Upon successful completion of the program, peer mentors may be eligible to receive recognition on their Co-Curricular Record.
International students studying at the undergraduate or graduate level who are new to life at UM are encouraged to apply. Both newly admitted students, and those who started their studies remotely during the pandemic can apply the be a mentee.
Welcome Mentors is a great way to meet other students, get accustomed to the UM campus, and enhance your intercultural and communication skills.
Eligible students will have started their studies at UM in either:
Mentees are paired with an experienced UM student (peer mentor) for one academic term who can provide advice and support such as:
Many new students are eager to participate as a mentee; however, spots are limited to ensure the best experience for both mentors and mentees. We require all mentees to fully engage in the program by:
The mentee application deadline has been extended. Please contact erika.serranohidalgo@umanitoba.ca with any questions.
This free program aims to help students enhance their cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom.
Available to all UM students, the Intercultural Leaders program enhances students’ public speaking, leadership, cultural awareness and communication skills during eight interactive group sessions and workshops.
All students are encouraged to apply. Co-Curricular Recognition is provided to participants who complete and meet all of the requirements of the program. For more information, contact madison.reed@umanitoba.ca
Eligible students must be in at least their second year of studies, and be in good academic standing. Canadian, International, and Permanent Residents studying at the undergraduate, graduate level, or in Extended Education are welcome to apply. Participants will attend 8 sessions with topics and speakers chosen to enhance the following skills:
Sessions for the Winter 2022 term are every Wednesday from January 26 to March 23, 2022 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm (no session during Reading Week on February 23, 2022). Sessions are held virtually on Zoom.
For more information, regarding the Winter 2022 session, contact madison.reed@umanitoba.ca.
Learning a language can be intimidating, but a good conversation partner can make it much less daunting!
The Language Exchange program connects people who speak different languages but share similar interests. The partners then meet each week to practice each other’s languages and learn about each other’s cultures in a friendly, relaxed environment.
Co-Curricular Recognition (CCR) is provided to students who complete and meet all of the requirements of the program. For more information, contact erika.serranohidalgo@umanitoba.ca
This personal information is being collected under the authority of The University of Manitoba Act. It will be used to contact you about orientation sessions, to match you with a volunteer Conversation Partner, and to ask for your feedback through evaluation surveys. It will not be used or disclosed for other purposes, unless permitted by The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). If you have any questions about the collection of your personal information, contact the Access and Privacy Office (tel. 204-474-9462), 233 Elizabeth Dafoe Library, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB, R3T 2N2.
The Language Exchange program is open to:
Volunteers should be interested in practicing a language conversationally and/or learning about a different culture. Volunteers should be:
Applicants must commit to meeting with their Conversation Partner for 1.5 to 2 hours per week, for a total of 15 or more hours during an academic term (Fall or Winter term).
Applicants are matched based on their complementary interests in language and culture. For example, a participant fluent in Spanish interested in practicing their conversational Italian, will be matched with a student fluent in Italian interested in practicing their conversational Spanish.
Some partners are interested in practicing their conversational English, and others are interested in learning any language, or simply find an interest in sharing cultural similarities and differences with others.
In some cases, we are unable to match volunteers if their preferred language is unavailable.
The languages available vary each term depending on the applicants who apply. Applicants are most likely to be matched when they are open to learning more than one language. Some common languages that our applicants are fluent in include:
Although the Language Exchange Program is not meant to be a formal language class or tutor program, those interested in formal classes can refer to these resources:
For more information, contact erika.serranohidalgo@umanitoba.ca