Mentor/Buddy Program
Every international exchange student is invited to participate in the International Mentor/Buddy Program at CSU, Chico.
What is the International Mentor/Buddy Program?
This program was developed to help exchange students meet American students and other international students quickly so that you are able to make a new circle of friends immediately upon arriving in the States. When you are only here for a semester or two, it is crucial that you meet as many people as possible in a short amount of time.
The Study Abroad Office will assign you an American student who will serve as a “mentor.” This is a student who recently studied abroad in a foreign country, and is someone who is genuinely interested in learning more about your culture, while also serving as your personal “guide” to Chico college life. They want to make certain you enjoy your time in Chico.
Mentors are there to provide the following type of support:
- Pick you up from the airport or bus station (if possible)
- Help you get settled into your new apartment by taking you shopping for groceries and other necessary items.
- Show you around campus, help you get your books and campus ID, and more
- Tell you about the coolest places to hang out in Chico, the best professors, and more
- Introduce you to their friends in Chico, and in some cases, their families (networking!!!)
- Serve as an emergency contact, in case you ever need immediate assistance in the evenings or on the weekends when our office is closed.
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Please know that the International Mentor / Buddy Program is about friendship and support. These are people who are volunteering their time to serve as a window into American college life. We will have several parties and events throughout the semester, which are fun and give you a chance to meet a big group of Americans and international exchange students. There is no obligation to attend all or any of these events (but we hope you will!!).
Examples of Mentor/Buddy Program events include:
- Welcome pizza party
- Farmer’s market
- Sporting events
- Movie Nights
- Bowling night
- Roller-skating/rollerblading
- Bidwell Park BBQ (swimming/sports)
- Coffee, cake and culture (CCC)
- Hookah and belly dancing
- Karaoke and Sushi
- Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour
- International Potluck
- Bon voyage party
- Possible Excursions to Sacramento, Santa Cruz, or San Francisco
How Do I sign up?
Simply return the following form to us. Once we receive your application, we will assign an American Mentor to you based upon the information you provide.