Mentoring training completed with the awarding of recognition pins

Mentoring training, organised this summer by the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) International Department has now concluded. It involved several sessions of training of senior students to welcome freshmen and better integrate them into academic life and the local community during the last week in August. This summer we introduced a new mentor identification – a honorary pin that is awarded together with the mentor’s certificate to those senior students who have completed the training and act as mentors.

The objective of the training is to facilitate successful integration of the incoming international students at RSU and to offer valuable advice on life in Latvia. The mentor training covers such topics as the mentor’s mission and duties, the role of the mentor in the life of the mentee and the challenges of cross-cultural communication. The training also covers simulation of complex real life situations and analysis of a mentor’s support in problem solving.

“Moving abroad is associated with high levels of stress. It is important to have someone to advise you on life in the new place. I chose to become a mentor thanks to the positive personal experience I had when starting studies at RSU. I hope that I will be able to give valuable advice to incoming students who will arrive in Riga this semester”, Catharina Clara Blaafjell Holwech from Norway shares her motives for becoming a mentor. There are approximately 60 RSU local and international senior students who join the mentoring programme each semester.

 “Mentoring is important as it is a way that students can help other students. For one student the academic environment at a university may not be new, for somebody else it is a completely new world, as in the majority of cases incoming students know little about Latvia, Rīga and our culture. Knowing that there are students on both sides, mutual communication is not that hard,” the advantages of mentoring are highlighted by RSU medical student and mentor Serafima Grigorjeva.

“I remember that I was rather frightened and did not know much at the beginning as I come from Salacgrīva and I knew little about Rīga. I had a mentor who helped me feel at home and understand academic and everyday practicalities even before I met my groupmates. I think that for international students it is much harder as in addition to a new location they experience culture shock and are away from their families”, she continues.

In addition to the certificate and recognition pin, the mentoring programme provides a opportunity to improve language skills, learn about new cultures and develop intercultural communication and leadership skills. The programme also facilitates the integration of local and international students.

Orientation Week for incoming international students will be held from 27 to 31 August. This will be a busy week during which students will have the chance to learn about the university. There will be also be a number of mentors participating in Orientation Week activities.