The International Peer Mentor (IPM) Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is designed to support new international students at UW-Madison by matching them with a volunteer student mentor. Mentors offer personalized one-on-one mentoring, social engagement, and connections with campus resources to a small group of incoming student mentees.
Learn more below!
Applications to be assigned an International Peer Mentor for Spring 2026 are now open. All students in their first year at UW-Madison are welcome to apply!
Apply to be assigned a mentor for this Spring semester
Priority deadline: Friday, January 23rd, 2026
About
What is Mentorship?
We define mentorship as a collaborative relationship in which an experienced mentor fosters the growth of incoming students, or mentees. Mentors gain confidence and leadership skills while mentees receive support in navigating resources, identifying their goals, and developing a sense of belonging as they transition to life on campus.
Structure
IPM is a one-semester commitment. Mentors meet regularly with their mentees in both in-person and virtual settings. Large group events include a start of semester kick-off and an end of semester celebration.
Mission
Our mission is to cultivate a supportive and inclusive international community on the UW–Madison campus. By fostering meaningful relationships between incoming international students and trained student mentors, we aim to enhance the international student experience and support students’ adjustment to campus.
Core Principles
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One-on-One Mentoring
Providing personalized support through dedicated mentors who offer guidance, advice, and assistance tailored to the unique needs of each mentee. This pillar emphasizes the importance of building strong, meaningful relationships between mentors and mentees.
Social Engagement
Encouraging social interaction and community building among mentees through organized events, activities, and opportunities for cultural exchange. This pillar aims to foster a sense of belonging, connection, and camaraderie among international students.
Campus Resource Connections
Assisting mentees in navigating and accessing various campus resources, such as academic support services, student organizations, counseling services, and career development resources. This pillar aims to empower mentees to make informed decisions and take advantage of the resources available to enhance their academic and personal growth.
Academic Success
Supporting mentees in achieving their academic goals by offering academic guidance, study strategies, and resources for academic success. Additionally, promoting cultural awareness, understanding, and embracing diversity to create an inclusive campus environment for all mentees.
These pillars form the core principles of the IPM, ensuring that international students receive personalized support, engage in a vibrant community, and benefit from the resources and opportunities available to them at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Mentees
New international, degree seeking, undergraduate or graduate students are invited to sign up to be paired with a student mentor.
Timeline: Applications open before the semester begins and close shortly after the International Student Welcome and Information Fair (ISWIF). The application period may close early if the program is at capacity.
Time commitment: As a mentee, you are expected to connect with your mentor regularly and respond to messages from your mentor. Your mentor can answer questions about life in Madison and campus resources.
Application procedure: This is a first come, first served program. Sign up right away! Mentor/mentee matches are made according to academic level (graduate or undergraduate) but not by any other factor. We hope this provides a variety and diversity of students in each group. The application may take you about 10 minutes to complete. If over capacity for the program, you will be added to a waitlist.
Sign up to be matched with a student mentor for the Spring 2026 semester!
Mentors
Mentors include international students, domestic students, grad and undergrad who have students at UW-Madison for at least one academic year. Each mentor supports up to 10 new-student mentees.
Timeline: Applications open during the Fall semester. Mentors are selected by December and trained throughout the Spring Semester.
Time commitment: About 2-5 hours per week. This is a 1-year commitment (January – December).
Training: In person, 2:30-4:30pm, Fridays, from mid-February through the end of April. All training is required – to be selected as a Mentor, you must commit to attending all training sessions. Fall kick off training will take place at the end of August and ongoing training takes place once per month during the Fall semester.
Applications for Fall 2026 Mentors are now closed. Please complete the form below if you would like be be notified when applications reopen for the next cycle!
Fall 2025 Mentors
Hitesh Agrawal, Undergraduate
Math, physics and economics
Ruben Aguilo Schuurs, Undergraduate
Spain
Physics and computer science
Qinxuan (Jennifer) Chen, Undergraduate
China
Economics
Wendi Chen, Undergraduate
China
Mathematics & economics, B.A.
Yu Chen, Undergraduate
China
Biology
Janderin (Jan) Diaz Hernandez, Graduate
Costa Rica
Spanish literature
Harshavardhan (Harsha) Kabilan, Graduate
India
Industrial engineering, M.S.
Eric Lu, Undergraduate
China
Economics & data science, B.S.
Yitong (Louise) Liu, Undergraduate
China
Pre-Business
Gabriela Martinez Motta, Graduate
Uruguay
Environment & resources, PhD
Lucas Parana, Undergraduate
United States
Communication arts, and international studies, B.A.
Kate Stukel, Undergraduate
United States
International studies
Opeoluwa Taiwo, Graduate
Nigeria
Library & information science, M.A.
Yuanru Tan, Graduate
China
Learning sciences, PhD
Iris Xu, Undergraduate
China
Computer science & data science, B.S.
Jingrui Zhang, Undergraduate
China
Computer science and data science
Yiming (Flora) Zhang, Graduate
China
Economics
Zijian (Michael) Zou, Undergraduate
China
Data science
Kaylin Xu, Graduate
Canada
Chemistry, PhD
Sharon Phelan, Graduate
United States
Global Higher Education M.S.
Why Join IPM?
Mentee feedback about IPM (2024-2025):
97% would recommend IPM
94% feel supported by their mentor
100% listed IPM as a positive (85%) or neutral (15%) impact on their sense of belonging
“Thank you so so much for always being there for me. I am incredibly grateful to have you as my mentor and hope to stay in touch with you throughout my journey at UW–Madison. You feel like an elder sister that I never had and I wish you achieve your dreams and become successful.”
“You’ve been the best mentor I could have asked for. You’re easy and fun to talk too. Keep up the good work.”
“From a graduate student perspective, this is amazing. It gives me perfect sense of socializing, detoxing from studying too much, and meeting new people without requiring much commitment. I bet this is one of the best experiences you could have at UW–Madison.”
“My mentor has been supportive and caring. Through meeting with my mentor I got to know them and other mentees and developed long-lasting friendships. Especially for graduate students, making connections can sometimes be less straightforward than in undergraduate. Also, as an international student there is the additional sense of being very far away from home and maybe navigating a very different culture for the first time. The IPM program and my mentor helped to break the ice and get to know other international graduate students in a similar position as mine. This connection made the first few months of settling in much easier and more enjoyable.”
Contact Us
Have questions or concerns? Reach out to our Global Engagement Team and we would be happy to help! Email: issprograms@iss.wisc.edu