By the end of the semester, students will have gained practical experience as well as theoretical insights of mentoring fellow students on a peer level.

Mandatory meetings in which organizational aspects are discussed, self-managed mentoring outside of the course, group work, participation in workshops offered for mentors to further develop their mentoring skills.

The course forms the organizational framework for the International Peer-Mentoring programme. Students of the course support international first-semester students whom they mentor and accompany throughout the beginning of their studies. Mentors share their experience with mentees and support them through answering their (study-related) questions. The mentoring itself takes place outside of the fixed course hours.The course provides mentors with relevant information they will need to support their mentees, familiarises them with their roles and responsibilities, and gives them an overview of all important services offered by the university and university structures.It accompanies mentors through regular meet-ups in which important aspects of mentoring (such as the roles and tasks of mentors, recurring topics in mentoring, possible problems) are discussed and reflected. In addition, students of the course participate in several workshops throughout the course which further improve their skills as mentors. Lastly, in a group work, students organize an informational session to support international students together with a team of other mentors. 

Having studied at the University of Klagenfurt for at least one semesterBeing an outgoing and reliable person who wants to take on social responsibility and support new studentsGood command of the English languageReadiness to further develop interpersonal skills

Regular participation in shared sessions, participation in designing and conduction an informational session for international students together with fellow mentors, handing in final assignment on time.

All of the following four components have to be completed in order to pass the course:Active mentoring of students outside of the hours of the course.Participation in shared sessions and workshops.Active participation in (at least) one informational session designed to support international students. Handing in an overall semester reflection which sums up your practice as a mentor (~ 1000 words). Alternative to the reflection paper, students can work on a priorly agreed-upon assignment, such as writing a guide for new students.

Will be graded as “participated with success” if all four components (see above) are completed.