UCalgary campus

International Student Mentorship Program

The International Student Mentorship Program (ISMP) connects new international students (known as “mentees”) with current UCalgary students volunteers (known as “mentors”).

International Student Mentorship Program overview

The objectives of the international student mentorship program (ISMP) include:

  • To welcome new international students to the UCalgary community
  • To provide peer-advice about adapting to studying at UCalgary (remotely or in-person) and adapting to life in Calgary
  • To build connections among new international students starting their studies (online or in-person) and current UCalgary students

Once mentors are matched with a new international student (mentee), they correspond by email prior to the students' arrival in Calgary (or start of remote studies).

ISMP mentors will be matched with new international students (mentees) at a similar level and area of study leading into the upcoming term. Mentors and mentees can attend different types of events and maintain contact throughout the term. 

Group of students laughing

ISMP participants will:

Group

At the start of the term, students attend a welcome reception where they'll have a chance to meet each other for the first time if they haven't met already.

Pair

Students are encouraged to continue to maintain contact with their match throughout the term. Mentors will contact their mentee one or two times per month. Mentees can contact their mentor with questions that come up along the way.

Share

Program participants attend events together and submit an exit survey to share their expertise, and experiences.

Group of students

Winter 2026 ISMP Application Window

November 25, 2025 to January 11, 2026.

Want to learn more about the mentorship program? Register for an upcoming online information session:

Winter 2026 ISMP Welcome Receptions will take place January 28 & 29, 2026.

Read more about being a student mentor

Mentor Benefits

  • Develop your leadership skills.
  • Support incoming international students by sharing your knowledge and experiences of UCalgary campus and Canadian life.
  • Get extra-curricular credentials for your volunteer activities. (International Student Mentor digital badge and reference letter available for request after completion)

MENTORS

Mentors are upper-year students who have experienced life at the University of Calgary and wish to be a resource or helpful guide to another student as they navigate their own UCalgary experience. A mentor will help with questions like:

  • Where do I buy textbooks?
  • How does a "UPass" work?
  • How do I get involved with student clubs?
  • When do I find out my exam schedule?
  • What are some fun things to do in Calgary?
  • Where are some good places to eat on campus?


Mentor participation includes all of the following:

  • You will be matched with an incoming international student in a similar area and level of study.
  • Connect with your mentee via email/text/zoom and/or in-person at least once a month. (roughly August to December for fall, and December to April for winter)
  • Attend 1 mentorship Welcome Reception event, ideally with your mentee.
  • Attend a sharing event or another social event organized by ISS and other campus units with your mentee.
  • Report and provide feedback when communicating with mentee(s) at least once per month in order to receive the International Student Mentor digital badge.
  • Complete program exit feedback survey.

Applying to be a mentor:

Who can apply as a mentor?

  • International and domestic students.
  • Undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Must have studied at UCalgary for at least 1 full academic year prior to applying.
  • Applicants must be in good conduct standing.

How to apply as a mentor:

  1. Visit the ISMP MentorLINC landing page.
    1. Click join at the top of the page.
    2. Create a MentorLINC account or sign in with existing account.
    3. Fill out the ISMP mentor application form on MentorLINC.
  2. Complete the following on Better Impact:
    1. Create a Better Impact account or sign in with and existing account
    2. Fill out the Volunteer Application form.
    3. Volunteer OHS Orientation. (link included on form)

Contact imentor@ucalgary.ca with any questions.

Mentee Benefits

  • Connect with an experienced student studying in a similar program or faculty.
  • Get advice about moving to, and living in, Calgary.
  • Learn about fun things to do in and around Calgary.
  • Meet new acquaintances and build a social network.
  • Learn about UCalgary resources.
  • Feel connected to a community.

MENTEES

Participating as a mentee is important and a strongly recommended step of the new international student checklist.

Before you arrive in Calgary:

  • Apply to join the International Student Mentorship Program.
  • Regularly check your email for messages from your mentor, and correspond with your mentor via email.
  • Check in with your mentor at least once a month. (roughly August to December for fall and December to April for winter)

Once you start your studies:

  • Attend the mentorship welcome reception with your mentor.
  • Attend a sharing event or another social event with your mentor throughout term.
  • Complete program exit feedback survey.

Applying to be a mentee:

Who can apply to be a mentee?

  • International undergraduate or graduate students within their first year at UCalgary.
  • Exchange students.

How to apply to be a mentee:

  1. Visit the ISMP MentorLINC landing page.
  2. Click join at the top of the page.
  3. Create a MentorLINC account or sign in with existing account.
  4. Fill out the ISMP mentee application form on MentorLINC.

Contact imentor@ucalgary.ca with any questions.

Fall 2022 Mentorship “Sharing Events”

Why You Should Join the Mentorship Program

Want to learn more about mentorship experiences our past mentors and mentees had? The article below has great examples of conversations between pairs and supports a mentee will receive. 

Read on UCalgary student mentors sharing their highlights from the International Student Mentorship program!

Read the article