By Andrea Fernandes
Staff Writer
Instead of diving into pools this summer, Bonaventure students will have the opportunity to dive into new cultures through the mentorship program.
Mentors will be needed to assist international students from Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador for five weeks.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a paid mentor position from July 12 to August 16. Through funding from the State Department, twenty students from the three Latin American countries will spend five weeks in the United States. They will be hosted by St. Bonaventure University and will stay on campus. Bonaventure students will serve as mentors and build communication and leadership skills as they help educate the visiting students.
Phillip Payne, a history professor and an academic adviser for the program, shared some information about his expectations for the program.
“Mentors act as ambassadors for the United States” Payne said.
It will be the mentor’s job to welcome the students and give them a feel of what the United States is all about. Mentors will also travel with students to New York staples, including Niagara Falls and New York City. Bona’s students will be able to learn alongside the visiting students while visiting these places.
Being in such close space with the Latin American students, those who choose to mentor can expect to learn a lot about Venezuela, Columbia and Ecuador. Mentors could even learn some Spanish from the students, Payne said
“Student mentors live in townhouses with the Latin American students,” Payne said. “Students will get a lot of exposure to another culture while expanding their leadership capacity.”
Getting to know students from another country can be beneficial to mentors. Payne added it would be a good learning experience since the visiting students were carefully selected based on their skills and talents.
“These are students of academic promise,” Payne said. “They’re students who have the real potential to be leaders in their countries.”
Mentors can expect to have an experience of a lifetime while building new relationships.
“What I’ve gained from this experience is more love, a new level of passion, motivation and great friends who I consider family,” said Paul Leonardo, a senior Spanish and political science major, who participated in the program in the past.
St. Bonaventure University is one of several schools that will be hosting international students.
Speaking Spanish is not a requirement for mentors. Having a positive attitude and being open to learning are desired qualities, Payne said. To apply, all that is needed is a résumé, three references and a letter stating the reasons why you want to be a mentor.
Anyone interested in applying or finding out more about the mentor positions can contact Melissa Yaworsky, Dr. Maddalena Marinari or the program’s academic advisor, Phillip Payne.
fernanal13@bonaventure.edu
