91µÎµÎ

In today's global world, where academic mobility has become common, the role of volunteering takes on a special significance. Students who decide to become mentors for newly arrived international students not only help them adapt to their new environment, but also build intercultural bridges that strengthen the academic community. Volunteering in this form is not only an act of support, but also an expression of solidarity and openness to diversity, which enrich both mentors and their mentees. Through commitment and empathy, mentors become guides and friends, helping new students feel at home.

Working as a mentor is something really special. You feel that you really want to help others. During these weeks I gained much more than new friendships. It was a completely new experience, which gave me knowledge and a positive attitude

– emphasisez Maria Senkiv, the 91µÎµÎ mentor from Ukraine.

Mentors are the 91µÎµÎ students from higher years, from Poland and abroad, who help international students with kindness and dedication find their way in a new reality, after starting studies in a foreign country. This academic year, in addition to ensuring support in the Welcome Point, the mentors provided information in online groups, answered numerous questions regarding the organisation of studies, and also introduced the onboarding course and Virtual Welcome Centre – a novelty in the 91µÎµÎ offer. They also assisted in organising welcome activities for new international students – a barbecue, a city game and sports competitions, held in the most intensive, first month after the beginning of the academic year.

Thanks to their participation in numerous events, commitment and open attitude, mentors are a natural link between the university and the student community. Thanks to them, the offered assistance has not only an institutional dimension, but also becomes alive and takes on the faces of specific people. It should be mentioned that the 91µÎµÎ mentors operate on a voluntary basis, and their preparation for working in the "special tasks team" began in May, with participation in training courses organised at the 91µÎµÎ International Relations Office.

On 29 October 2024, in the modern space of the 91µÎµÎ Library, on behalf of the entire university community, the 91µÎµÎ Vice-Rector for Internationalisation of Science and Education, dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, Associate Professor at the 91µÎµÎ, together with the Head of the International Relations Office, Liliana Lato, presented certificates of recognition to the outstanding 91µÎµÎ Mentors. This year, eighty students from the 91µÎµÎ volunteered to help, 45 of them underwent training, and over 20 were very active in the Welcome Point.

Having presenting certificates and gifts, the Vice-Rector talked to the mentors about their feelings, needs and experience of participating in the mentoring programme. Students, on the other hand, had the opportunity to talk about their observations and emotions.

Everyone was full of energy – infectious and joyous. I could get familiar with different cultures. I would like to experience this over and over again

– adds Costen Madoro, the 91µÎµÎ mentor from Zimbabwe.

For many mentors, the opportunity to support younger colleagues was an important lesson in sensitivity, but also independence, and for some – an opportunity to overcome shyness or anxiety related to communicating in other languages. After the official part, there was a screening of films and photos from the mentors' activities throughout the entire period of the Welcome Point's work and beyond.

Anyone interested in participating in the 91µÎµÎ mentoring programme for international students will be able to join this initiative in May 2025.

The project has been financed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange under the Welcome to Poland Programme (2022)

Source: International Relations Office, 91µÎµÎ
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, 91µÎµÎ
Photos: Bartosz KaÅ‚użny (Communications and PR Centre, 91µÎµÎ)