2024
2023
The Role of the VCC International Education
IPMC Event Photos and Mentor Feedback
The International Peer Mentor Community is designed to help new international students adjust to life at Vancouver Community College. The goal is to smooth transition and facilitate connection and engagement between new VCC international students (Mentees) and trained current VCC students (Mentors).
As part of the program, you will make new friends, get insider perception, build social connections, and share knowledge and experience, providing an opportunity to learn from different perspectives in a multicultural environment. Your Peer Mentor will help you connect with other students, learn how to adjust to life in Canada and inform you about services and resources available at VCC throughout the first term.
The International Peer Mentor Community allows participants to develop leadership skills and build long-term friendships. You will also participate in events and fun activities organized by VCC International Education. It will help you create memorable moments in your student life journey.
Check out our past IPMC events here: VCC IE Facebook Group - IPMC
Please read below all the details on how to participate as a Mentor or Mentee in this initiative.
A Mentee can be any new international student enrolled in a full-time program that is at least 5-months in length at VCC and who wants to be part of the International Peer Mentor Community. As a Mentee, you will meet with your team regularly throughout the term, participate in events organized by VCC International Education and have the opportunity to build friendships and hear more about the services available at VCC and around the community.
Request a Mentor (for new international students)
A Peer Mentor can be any current VCC domestic or international student who has completed at least one term at VCC. A Peer Mentor needs to be in good academic standing, familiar with campus life, need to have the ability to relate to a diverse team of people and want to be a leader in our International Peer Mentor Community.
As a volunteer position, the Peer Mentor will support new international students (Mentees) to navigate their first term at VCC and give tips on how to maximize the opportunities offered in the community. The Peer Mentor commitment involves continued communication with the mentees through email, monthly meetings, and social activities.
As a Peer Mentor, you are not expected to have all the answers that a mentee might ask or replace academic and professional assistance provided by the College. Instead, you will help guide and support new international students during their adjustment throughout their first term.
Mentors will not provide immigration-related or academic advice to students. Please reach out to VCC International Education directly for support.
Any questions about the International Peer Mentor Community can be directed to the VCC International Education at ieservices@vcc.ca.
IPMC mentors and mentees participate in a kick-off meeting at the beginning of the term, and continue their one-on-one and group meetings throughout the term. The mentorship programs conclude with a group celebration event at the end of the term. Check out the photos from these various events, and see what students have to say about their experiences!
"I hope I was able to help my mentees and inspire them to also pay it forward by being mentors in the future."
MA. Theresa V. (Shine) Ganzon, Philippines
Business and Project Management Post-Degree Diploma
"The mentees are very nice. We 4 had a great time. I think we bonded as friends. We plan to hang out when we have time."
Chia-Chi (Chi), Taiwan
Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma