Mentoring an international student can be an incredibly rewarding opportunity. However, inherent challenges exist when communicating and building relationships across cultural difference – whether that be due to differences in language or due to differing cultural value sets. While these hurdles may seem daunting or dissuading, they are actually very easy to navigate and overcome. Join Justin Jeffery, Director of International Student Life at the University of Georgia, as he outlines various tips and best practices to assist cross-cultural mentorships. Justin will pull on his experience living abroad, his 10 years of working with international student populations, and his academic course on intercultural communication that he teaches each semester, to provide participants a solid foundation to support mentors engaging with international student mentees.
Learning Objectives:
(1) Participants will better understand the concept of culture and how it connects to one’s own identity and worldview.
(2) Participants will be able to articulate how their values may differ from those that they mentor and what this means for their mentoring relationship.
(3) Participants will learn best practices related to intercultural communication and intercultural competence.
