Did you know that if you are soon to be an International Postgraduate Taught (PGT / Masters) or Postgraduate Research (PGR / PhD) student starting at the University of Reading you can apply for a STaR Mentor? Read on to find out more…
About the STaR Mentor Scheme
The STaR Mentor Scheme helps new postgraduate international students with their start at Reading by training current postgraduate students as peer mentors to answer questions and support with settling in. STaR PG International is available to new Postgraduate Taught (PGT) and Postgraduate Research (PGR) students to help with living in the UK and postgraduate study at Reading.
STaR Postgraduate International Mentors are:
- Current postgraduate students at Reading
- Trained volunteers
- Friendly and welcoming
- Good listeners, empathetic and non-judgemental
- Ambassadors of the University and positive role models
Your STaR Postgraduate International Mentor will:
- Contact you before you start at Reading by email
- If possible, meet you in person on campus during Welcome
- Be contactable by email and available to meet in person throughout your first academic year
- Commit around 1 hour a week to mentoring you!
How STaR Postgraduate International Mentors can help
Your Mentor understands how you may be feeling about starting university. Your Mentor will:
- Share their own experiences of living in the UK
- Prepare you for what to expect from postgraduate study at Reading
- Answer questions and refer you to helpful university services as appropriate
- Meet you in person on campus during Welcome and beyond
- Orientate you around campus and the local area
- Recommend places of interest in Reading and the UK
- Help you adjust to postgraduate study and new academic learning styles
- Connect you with clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities
- Link you to careers and professional development advice
Apply for a STaR Postgraduate International Mentor
You will then be allocated a Mentor on a first come, first served basis. The sooner you apply the more likely you will be to get a Mentor.
For more Information please contact starmentors@reading.ac.uk or visit our website.