CGPS knows that good advice from friends and support from peers during a transition makes a big difference. The iBuddy program pairs incoming international students with trained and experienced UD mentors who connect them with the knowledge and resources to navigate life in the U.S. and at UD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any incoming student who wants help transitioning to UD and the U.S. will benefit from having a mentor.
As an iBuddy Mentee you will:
Have someone to communicate with about your pre-arrival preparations.
Have someone to check in with once you're on campus and settling into life in the U.S. -or- if you are not coming to campus, a fellow student to help you feel connected.
Feel supported and confident about your options.
Attend fun events.
Meet other new international students like you!
The application for getting a mentor is now closed. If you have any questions, email ibuddymentor@udel.edu.
iBuddy Mentors
We are always looking for current students, international and domestic, to serve as mentors to the incoming class of international Blue Hens! We need your help to make them feel welcome and included in our community. Mentors receive training and support from CGPS and the iBuddy council.
The ideal mentor should be sensitive to the needs of the international population, with a willingness to assist students in their transition to their new academic, cultural and social settings. iBuddy mentors must also demonstrate compassion across cultures when connecting and networking with mentees during their adjustment to life in the U.S. Applicants must be in good academic standing (3.0 or above) and demonstrate effective communication skills and intercultural awareness.
As an iBuddy Mentor, you will:
Establish email communication with the assigned mentees two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Address any questions about campus life and provide general support prior their arrival to the U.S.
Assist during the International Student Orientation week. Encourage new students to participate in all orientation week activities. Co-lead campus tours and connect students with other campus resources and programs.
Provide year-long peer mentoring (from August – April), stay connected with mentees and send weekly updates on upcoming events and activities.
Support the formation of an iBuddy student organization.
As an iBuddy Mentor, you will:
Improve your cross cultural communications skills.
Become a cultural ambassador to new international students.
Build a global network of friends.
Attend trainings on leadership and intercultural communication.
Build your resume and receive public recognition for your service.
Gain references for your future job opportunities.
Exemplary iBuddy mentors will have the opportunity to take on leadership roles within the International Student Advisory Committee (ISAC).
The application for 2022-23 iBuddy mentors has closed. For questions, please contact ibuddymentor@udel.edu.
2021-2022 iBuddy Mentors
Asmaa Abo Alouk Wilder Acuna Mansour Al Rajhi Christos Aloupis Danah Alrashed Mohammad Baksh Intuon Chatratin Stella Chen Vidhika Damani Cornelia Dewi Soelaiman Basel Elkhapery
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Nadya Ellerhorst Maryam Golbazi Carolyn Gray Xinrui (Ivy) Guo Suraj Gurung Rithu Latha Rajendran Yanda Li Zhimo LI Muyi Liu Elisa Macera Safiyah Mansoori
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Addison McNair Piyush Mehta Omkar Mhatre Md Mozaharul Mottalib Tasnim Kamal Mouri Shaymaa Obayes Gbenga Obikoya Shubh Pahwa Sai Patkar Pengcheng (Gabe) Qian
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Huma Rasheed Tulaja Shrestha Rachel Spruill Annanya Venkataraman Adriana Verdezoto Alvarado Khushboo Verma Kyle Wang Xingzhao Xiong JIAYAN ZHANG Xiaotian Zhong
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Past iBuddy Events
