Please use the following tips as suggestions only. It’s important to keep in mind that ultimately we hope that you and you mentee will become friends and create an individual relationship.  These are simply guidelines and tips to get you started.

• Use the country resource section as a guide to find out more information about your mentee’s country. You can also read magazine articles and newspapers to learn about the background of their culture.  Be sure to ask you mentee about the information you find and discuss whether or not this does in fact apply to them. You may find that some common assumptions about your mentees country are actually not true.
• Treat the ‘W’ shaped Stages of Culture Shock model (included in this kit) as a rough guide to what your mentee may be experiencing.  Please keep in mind that your mentee may be experiencing any area of the cycle at anytime and may also be experiencing multiple stages at once (or on the contrary, may not be experiencing any of them).
• Be aware of your own cultural styles and assumptions. Be mindful of how your own assumptions are affecting what you are hearing and seeing.
• Do not make assumptions about your mentee or their home country. Ask them questions and get to know their background; try to ask open ended questions (questions that cannot be answered by a simple yes or no) to promote discussion. Also, be sure to discuss your own background with you mentee so that they may get to know you better and understand your unique background.
• Suspend your judgement and reactions; don’t jump to conclusions. Try to let go of your own viewpoints and attempt to see things from your mentees perspective “walk a mile in their shoes.”
• Be aware and open to some of the potential key differences between cultures:
• Visible differences (dress, food, greetings, rituals, etc)
• Group vs. Individual
• Concepts of Time, Space, and Pace
• Direct vs. Indirect
• Authority vs. Equality
• Work vs. Leisure
• Status and Role (rules and systems)
• Social norms (family, relations, friendship, romantic, etc)
• Keep in mind that all differences are not due to cultural norms. Try to determine whether a difference is cultural or personal (simply a matter of personality differences).
• Try not to speak too fast or too loudly, but don’t speak too slowly. Some people may find this offensive. Talk to you mentee and ask them if you are going too fast for them. Limit, but don’t eliminate the use of slang and cultural expressions; when used, ask your mentee if they are familiar with the expression.
• If your mentee is a non-English speaker, be sure to give them lots of time and patient attention to express themselves (tip: for fun, try learning a few words in their language).
• Try not to voice strong personal views on topics like politics, religion, culture, etc until you have developed a high comfort level with your mentee and are sure that you will not offend them.
• Do not try to solve all your mentees problems/issues. Please feel comfortable to come to us at the International Centre for any larger issues which may require our assistance.
• Encourage your mentee to share their uniqueness- the gratitude of being heard and appreciated ascends all cultures. International students often want to talk about their home; ask them about their life, family, activities etc, and express a true desire to understand the depth and complexity of their culture.
• Have Fun!