International Mentor Programme, Dunedin

The intention of the programme was good. But, I don't think it's actually working. Well, the thing is, I did ask around a few people, and surprisingly, quite a few of them said they just never got any email nor message from their mentor.

Hmmmmm? I wonder what happened? If one fella, probably, got the email wrongly but, a few?? Hmmmm.......

But, I did get my mentor's email. Went out for lunch. And, that's it. No more news..LOL...I did emailed her but, no reply. Nevermind...guess she is busy.
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And, then, the first gathering.........

Well...I just got one word to say................ BORING!!!!!!!!!!!

And, no idea why aren't the mentors there to greet all the new international students? --

Self-Thought: [ Aren't that part of the duty of the programme? You sign up and you are committed to it. Don't think you join just because you want it to look real nice on your CV, rite? ]

-- and make everyone feels comfortable....I mean really EVERYONE!

The thing is .............. lets see how should I put this?

hmmmmmmmmm....all I can say is the colored skin people got left out? not, just my color....but, the colored ones...all felt kind of like....hmmmm... "Why are we here, again?"

This is not my assumption. I did get to talk to a few of them who make it there and then, left...Ask them what they think? But, they were just too nice...They keep saying, it's ok but could have been better. I got to, literally, make them..spill it out, how they actually felt. LOL!!

Sigh!!

Let's see....me and my big opinion and big mouth....

If it were up to me, I would actually,

1. Make sure all the MENTORS are there to greet their fellow MENTEES. It's a good time to actually say hello if the email that you [mentor] have send out got lost in cyber space.

2. I know it might actually sound childish but, get both your mentors and mentees to play some introduction games. This allows both mentors and mentees to work together as a team and also, force people to learn name and faces. Make people feel relax.

3. No.2 will actually give everyone a chance to mingle and talk.

4. On the first meeting, get everyone to discuss what's their expectation of the programme. What they want out of it. It's really pointless to just tell your mentor and they forget about it...

5. Q & A sessions would be good, too...

6. And, when all the above it's done...then, we have the hot cocoa session....

You can't just hold a tea session, and expect people to just talk. Not everyone is sociable. Not everyone knows how to make the first move. It's awkward at times. And, as an international student programme, aren't you suppose to understand that students are people who comes from all walks of life and all kind of background. Not, everyone have the same kind of exposure.

Not everyone can JUST TALK...


However, I still believe in 2nd Chance. So, hopefully, it will be better the next round.


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Just my 2 cents..... =)