Providing a Guiding Hand to Students

By Emmalyn Ryan

Harrisburg, Pa – Starting college is a big step for students everywhere. There are many challenges we face, from figuring out how to schedule classes to budgeting. This all becomes a much greater task when you move to another country to attend school.

Patty Aguilera came up with the idea for the Global Lion Mentor Program after facing various difficulties when she first moved here from Mexico. Aguilera explained that there were various small things that she had to learn when she moved here; things that Americans grew up learning.  She gave the example, “I didn’t knew how to put gas in my car. Because in my country, we never dealt with the pump!” Other countries rely heavily on public transportation to get around, such as buses or trains. If they can walk to their destination, they will.

The program improved many students’ life, Aguilera said. One of the students she told me about is very organized. She was planning her living arrangements and emailed one of her mentors. Her mentor told her the place she was choosing wasn’t ideal for many reasons, one reason being that the place was far from campus. Due to the international student’s experience in her own country, she thought there would be transportation near by to take her. Unfortunately, the U.S. doesn’t have many bus stops in certain areas. Thanks to her mentor telling her about this issue, and helping her find another place to live, she was able to have a successful year.

This program was made to help new international students adjust to both campus life and American life. Each new student is contacted right away after they have applied to the campus. Then the program contacts the new student and pairs them with three mentors: one from their own country (or as close to their culture as possible), one that is in the same major as them, and one that is randomly chosen. Patty says she does this so that if one mentor does not fit will, then they have others to choose from.  This program is also a way for all students to make friends. The program ensures they have at least three connections when they arrive. The program also allows American students to become friends with people from another culture, thus broadening their understanding of different cultures.