#YouAreWelcomeHere: this hashtag was one of the primary reasons I chose Temple University as the next step in my academic path. Temple’s use of this hashtag led me to dive into its diverse and inclusive community.
As an international student, one of my fears was living in a different environment I had never experienced before. Although I was excited about U.S. life as it would be a completely new “adventure,” my fear deepened. My concerns ranged from how to communicate with faculty or peers to how to make friends to fundamentally how to live.
Gripped by both these concerns and excitement, during orientation, I heard about International Student Affairs’ Peer2Peer (P2P) mentoring program and I registered for it without hesitation. I thought that it would be an excellent opportunity to meet other new incoming international students and interact with them, learn more about campus, and become more integrated into the Temple community.
Integrating into the Temple community and feeling its inclusiveness was and is key to fulfilling my expectations. I knew that by being integrated into the community I could interact more with other people, which would boost my communication and language skills. I also realized that I could learn so many other things to inspire me academically and professionally.
At the P2P meeting, I met international students from many different countries and shared diverse experiences. We were able to hang out and discover Philadelphia together. These gatherings and activities gave me a sense of belonging, which, in turn, motivated me to enjoy campus life more and look forward to the next meeting. Moreover, as the other mentees were all international students, we had common challenges and concerns and could share, interact, support each other, and overcome our challenges together.
My mentor’s focus on inclusivity helped make us feel more comfortable and integrated into the Temple community. In parallel, she provided us with campus resources that really helped us get through challenges, achieve academic success, and, most importantly, adapt to the U.S.
“Throughout my journey as both a mentee and a mentor, I have come to appreciate the power of peer support in driving personal and professional development. Whether seeking guidance or offering it, engaging in a mentoring relationship can be transformative and has profoundly supported and shaped my journey.”
Antoine Lee
Pivoting from Mentee to Mentor
With these good previous experiences, after I was at Temple for a while, I decided to pivot and move from being a mentee to becoming a mentor. In my new position, I have found working with International Student Affairs and helping mentees fulfilling and motivating. I enjoy helping other international students who are in situations like those I have experienced before. Being a mentor allowed me to not only help new incoming international students and make their experience at Temple University worthwhile but also helped refine my communication skills, knowledge and life skills.
I think what makes the P2P mentoring program truly special is the mutualistic nature of the relationship the program establishes between mentor and mentees. While mentors offer guidance and support, they also benefit from the diverse perspectives and insights mentees bring. This exchange of knowledge and experiences enriches both parties, promoting an environment where we can all learn and grow together.
Throughout my journey as both a mentee and a mentor, I have come to appreciate the power of peer support in driving personal and professional development. Whether seeking guidance or offering it, engaging in a mentoring relationship can be transformative and has profoundly supported and shaped my journey.
In conclusion, the Peer-to-Peer mentoring program is a journey of mutual growth and learning, but it is also an excellent opportunity to get involved in the Temple community. As both a mentee and a mentor, I’ve interacted with and gained support and insights, which have enabled me to successfully adapt to the U.S. and Temple.
If you can participate in a peer-to-peer mentoring program, I encourage you, “Seize it!” You never know how it might help you to integrate better and shape your journey for the better.
By Antoine Lee
Adult & Organizational Development Major from The Republic of Korea
Peer2Peer Mentor
Photos provided by Antoine Lee