Mental framing for mentors - a deeper understanding of week #1
In this segment, we would like to provide you some important background information how to improve your interpersonal skills as a peer-mentor by approaching the concept of well-being from a psychological perspective. Research shows that relocation/settling down in a new place is best approached when being more attentive to personal needs. As you may know, needs are very unique - they may differ from wants, or desires. In order to assess needs, we recommend you to study the classic Maslow's pyramid called the hierarchy of needs.
That is why it is a good practice to begin talking about the most primer needs when you talk to a newcomer, by proposing questions connected to issues of comfort (where to eat on campus, what the fastest/safest route to travel to the campus from his/her home, or exploring the topic of keeping in touch with friends/family back home etc.) Be creative and attentive!
As an international student yourself, you most likely faced the various levels of discomforts as you were eager to adjust to local academic and social life. However, you cannot pass on all your learned knowledge in one meeting so we discourage you to flood your mentoree with a lot of info, instead proceed with caution, by focusing on connecting predominantly. Connecting (being on the same wavelength) requires a little patience on both sides. Do not get discouraged if it does not happen immediately. Keep in mind adjusting to one-another also needs time. Ask for help from the office of peer-mentoring if you feel you have bump into difficulties.