Sagi
BA (Hons) Film Practices
Being a Peer Mentor can be incredibly rewarding as you support others in their journey, build meaningful connections, and develop your own leadership and communication skills. Trust me, it's going to be an amazing experience!
Being a Peer Mentor
In 2022, I came to Newcastle to study and caught COVID-19 in my first week here and had to go to the hospital with a fever. As a new international student, without any family or friends here, I contacted my Peer Mentor for help. She was very warm and patient and provided me with a lot of support when I felt helpless. Because of her, I was inspired to become a Peer Mentor.
As a Peer Mentor, I help my mentees in various different ways. Most new students who come to Newcastle for the first time are not familiar with local supermarkets, hospitals and other institutions, and as a Peer Mentor, I was able to introduce them to the various facilities that this city has to offer them. In terms of study, I am able to provide my mentees with relevant academic suggestions, such as how to properly use library resources and how to communicate with academic staff. Pastorally, I try to be there for them when they need help and support.
A mentee can expect support, guidance, and encouragement from a Peer Mentor. Peer Mentors typically provide advice, share experiences, offer resources and help mentees navigate the challenges that being a new student bring, based on their own experiences. They often serve as a sounding board and a source of inspiration for mentees.
Benefits of being a Peer Mentor
Being a Peer Mentor has helped me to be more logical because when I meet with my mentees, I need to be prepared in order to be able to answer their questions. It has also allowed me to improve my organisational and problem-solving skills. As an international student, I still have some difficulties in communicating in a different language, but I was able to understand my mentees and help them with the queries they had. This experience has given me confidence to deal with any unexpected problems that arise.
If you're considering becoming a Peer Mentor, I'd encourage you to embrace the opportunity to make a positive impact on others. Reflect on your own experiences, strengths, and areas of growth, and be willing to share those with others. Being a Peer Mentor can be incredibly rewarding as you support others in their journey, build meaningful connections, and develop your own leadership and communication skills. Trust me, it's going to be an amazing experience!