In the Welcome Mentors program, mentors provide one-on-one intercultural and personal support and connect their mentees to academic resources for one term.
Intercultural experience
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.
Welcome Mentors
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.
Signing up to be a welcome mentor is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had throughout my education at the University of Manitoba.
Naomi Armah
Master’s student, College of Nursing
Welcome Mentors Applications
Thank you for your interest in the Welcome Mentors Program! Please review the position requirements before applying to participate.
Welcome Mentors Application (for volunteer mentors)
Who can be a Welcome Mentor?
All UM students are encouraged to apply. Student mentors must be:
- Enrolled at UM for at least one year
- Registered full-time
- Be in good academic standing
- Have completed the mandatory training for mentors
Why be a Welcome Mentor?
Volunteering as a Welcome Mentor is a great way to enhance your leadership, communication and cross-cultural skills. Mentors help new international students adjust to life in Winnipeg and at UM.
Time Commitment
Mentors meet in-person and virtually, and communicate with their mentees for 15 hours over the course of the academic term (September - December, 2023).
Mentor Responsibilities
A Welcome Mentor will:
- provide support for common adjustment tasks for their mentee
- create a safe and open environment that encourages mentees to discuss their concerns and ask questions
- make appropriate referrals to their mentee for campus student services
- create a supportive environment to help their mentee transition to UM
- provide check-ins and feedback to the Program Coordinator about their progress and experience
Mentor Recognition
Upon successful completion of the program, Welcome Mentors will be eligible to receive recognition on their Co-Curricular Experience Record.
APPLY NOW
Deadline to apply is August 14, 2023, 12:00 PM (CST).
Welcome Mentee Application (for new students)
Who can be a Mentee?
New International UM students are encouraged to apply. Student mentors must be:
- Enrolled at UM for the Fall 2023 term
How can a Welcome Mentor help me?
A Welcome Mentor will:
- provide support for common adjustment tasks for their mentee
- create a safe and open environment that encourages mentees to discuss their concerns and ask questions
- make appropriate referrals to their mentee for campus student services
- create a supportive environment to help their mentee transition to UM
Time Commitment
Mentors meet in-person and virtually, and communicate with their mentees for 15 hours over the course of the academic term (September - December, 2023).
APPLY NOW
Deadline to apply is August 28, 2023, 12:00 PM (CST).
Intercultural Leaders
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.
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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.
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As a student, I have benefited enormously from the opportunity to learn in detail about different cultures and leadership styles.
Victoria Nwabuisi
student
Intercultural Leaders - Application
Who can apply?
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:
- Self-awareness
- Adaptability
- Relationship-building
- Communication
- Influence
- Cultural Intelligence
Must be available to attend all 8 sessions, held in-person, every Wednesday from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. from September 20 - December 6, 2023 (No session during Fall term break on November 15).
Upon successful completion of the program, Intercultural Leaders will be eligible to receive recognition on their Co-Curricular Record.
APPLY NOW
Registration deadline August 21, 12:00 PM (CST).
Language Exchange
Learning a language can be intimidating, but a good conversation partner can make it much less daunting!
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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.
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We talked to each other with no pressure—it’s easier to learn the language that way. We were able to spend time together while learning at the same time.
Cesar Gabriel Marzoa Montalvo
International graduate student
Language Exchange Application
Who can apply?
The Language Exchange program is open to:
- Canadian, Permanent Resident, and International students (studying either remotely or in person)
- Spouses of current students
- Faculty, and Staff
Volunteers should be interested in practicing a language conversationally and/or learning about a different culture. Volunteers should be:
- friendly
- open to meeting new people
- respectful of differences in culture and communication style
Time Commitment
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).
How are conversation partners matched?
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.
What languages can I practice?
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:
- English
- French
- Farsi
- Mandarin
- Cantonese
- Spanish
- Arabic
- Hindi
- Punjabi
- Korean
- Russian
- Ukrainian
- and more!
How can I find formal language classes on campus?
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:
Contact us for more information
For more information on the Intercultural Leaders, Welcome Mentors, or Language Exchange programs, email Dyson Izzard.