University of Iowa Study Abroad has launched a new peer mentor program. Study Abroad peer mentors are undergraduate volunteers that have studied abroad during their time at the University of Iowa. They can answer questions and provide information to prospective study abroad students based on their unique experiences.
Ayah ElGaddal, a peer mentor and international relations major, studied abroad in fall 2023 at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. She wanted to be a peer mentor so she could guide students through accepting the unknown and understanding that it is common to feel nervous about leaving your comfort zone.
“Deciding to go a new country, especially one that is oceans away, can be a very overwhelming experience because you essentially leave everything behind – whether it’s your family, friends, your favorite pet, or your bed – everyone stays but you,” said ElGaddal. “But this uneasiness is normal, it is what everyone feels, and it’s what prepares you for your time abroad.”
Peer mentors can cover a variety of topics such as traveling on a budget, navigating cultural differences, applying for study abroad scholarships, and using public transportation abroad.
“The peer mentor program is all about connecting experienced Iowa students who have studied abroad with students beginning to embark on their own study abroad journeys,” said Phoebe Nishimoto, study abroad advisor and coordinator of the peer mentor program. “These are students who have lived and breathed life abroad, and we look to them to share their experiences with their peers.”
If you are looking for a student perspective on study abroad, connect with a peer mentor today.
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.