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Become an international mentor

Are you interested in getting involved in student life and gaining intercultural experience at the same time? Then the International Mentor Programme is perfect for you!

Four international mentors posing together in front of the Main University Building. Photo.
Be part of an international community and make friends from around the world as an international mentor. Photo: Ashraf Khoshiwal.

Applications are open 1 March–18 April

As an international mentor, you will meet students from across the globe and help them adjust to their new environment. Together with your fellow mentors, you will be an important social link between the international students in your mentor group and the Lund student experience.

Why consider international mentoring

Being an international mentor is an opportunity for personal and professional growth, while also giving you the chance to help others.

As an international mentor, you will have the opportunity to

  • provide valuable assistance to other students
  • expand your personal and professional network
  • practise and improve your language skills
  • develop essential leadership, communication, and service skills
  • gain intercultural expertise, and
  • enhance your CV for future job applications. 

At the end of the programme, you will receive an official mentoring certificate. This is something you can proudly show to potential future employers.

In addition to the above benefits, you will

  • get recognition from your faculty, for example if you want to go on an exchange.
  • have the opportunity to get to know Lund and the surrounding area better.

If you're ready to start this rewarding journey and enjoy these valuable benefits, we invite you to apply!


It's great to meet lots of new people, both new international students and other mentors.

                 – Mawia, international mentor


 

How international mentoring works

After a mandatory 1.5 hour mentor training before the start of the semester, you and your fellow mentors will organise some activities for the new international students. This will help them to get to know each other and their new environment.

It is also possible to help out during Arrival Day and the Orientation Weeks, which is much appreciated by both the new students and the Mentor Programme organisers.

Mentor training is offered several times before the start of the new semester. The training is offered on-site in Lund and digitally, so that those who are abroad on an exchange or internship can take part. You only need to attend one session.

  • Wednesday 8 May, 17:30 to 19:00 – In Lund
  • Monday 13 May, 17:30 to 19:00 – In Lund
  • Tuesday 14 May, 17:30 to 19:00 – Digital session

Special session for students who worked as mentors in spring 2024, received an official certificate, and are interested in participating again in autumn 2024:

  • Thursday 16 May, 17:30-18:00 – Digital session

You will receive an email with information about the training sessions and how to register after you have applied for the mentor programme. See below for details on how to apply.

As a mentor in the International Mentor Programme, you and your mentor group will organise social activities for new international students. Mentor groups consist of 4 to 5 mentors and 20 to 30 international students.

Examples of popular activities to organise are:

  • guided tours of Lund
  • picnics in the park
  • game nights
  • visiting a nation.

You and your group can also get ideas for activities from the Mentor Programme organisers.

The International Mentor Programme runs for approximately 2.5 months into the semester (i.e. up to and including the end of October in autumn and March in spring). However, most of the planned activities usually take place at the beginning of the semester. Many international students feel at home after a few weeks, while others want to continue meeting throughout the semester. Of course, you are encouraged to keep in touch after the Mentor Programme has ended.

In your role as an international mentor, you will also have the opportunity to help out with Arrival Day and the Orientation Weeks to help new international students settle in. You will be invited to a 'sittning' (student dinner party) to thank you for your help.

How to apply

Applications to become an international mentor in autumn 2024 are open from 1 March to 18 April.

Apply to become an international mentor – survey.mailing.lu.se

To become an international mentor, you must attend a mandatory 1.5 hour training session (on campus or digitally). Please note the different options available when you apply. See 'How international mentoring works' above for dates and times.

You will receive an email from the Mentor Programme when the application period closes. You will need to confirm your application and register for a training session.

Would you prefer to be in the same mentor group as someone you already know? Or would you like to be placed in a group with international students from a specific region in order to maintain, practise or learn a new language? You can make such special requests when you confirm your place on the Mentor Programme.

We will try to take special requests into account when assigning the groups.

If you have any questions, please contact the mentor coordinator at mentorprogramme [at] er [dot] lu [dot] se (mentorprogramme[at]er[dot]lu[dot]se).mentorprogramme [at] er [dot] lu [dot] se (mentorprogramme[at]er[dot]lu[dot]se).


I didn't know anyone who was a mentor before I became one. It is a fun way to get to know people!

                 – Katinka, international mentor


 

Mentor certificate

At the end of each semester, mentors who have successfully completed the Mentor Programme will receive an official mentor certificate.

To successfully complete the programme and receive the certificate, a mentor must:

  • take part in the mentor training before the start of the semester
  • accept the International Mentor Programme Code of Conduct
  • send a welcome email to the international students in the group together with the other mentors in your mentor group
  • organise and participate in at least five activities with your mentor group
  • submit a follow-up report.

Mentors and mentees share their experiences

Watch the YouTube videos below to get an idea of what it's like to be an international mentor or an international student in a mentor group.

Contact information

Questions about being a mentor?
Contact Tilda Thorsson, International Mentor Coordinator at mentorprogramme [at] er [dot] lu [dot] se (mentorprogramme[at]er[dot]lu[dot]se)

International Desk
+46 (0)46 222 01 00

Visiting address:
Stora Algatan 4, Lund

Mentors share their experiences.
Mentees share their experiences.

The international students are fantastic people!

    – Johanna, international mentor