What is iPeer Connections?
iPeer Connections is a peer-to-peer program that helps undergraduate international students build friendships, community, and confidence as they start life at the University of Iowa.
New undergraduate students are paired with peer mentors—current undergraduate international students who remember what it’s like to arrive at Iowa for the first time. Through conversations, shared experiences, and optional group activities, iPeer participants build connections that support belonging and personal growth on campus.
Many students describe iPeer not just as a program, but as a way to meet people, ask questions, and feel less alone during their transition.
Graduate students: Please visit the Become a Grad Peer Mentor page for opportunities in collaboration with P2P.
Why Join iPeer Connections?
iPeer is designed to help you:
- Meet other international students and build friendships
- Feel more connected to campus and the Iowa City community
- Learn helpful tips about student life, academics, and campus resources
- Have someone to talk to who understands your experience
There’s no single “right” way for iPeer matches to interact—some pairs talk weekly, some meet occasionally, and others connect through events. The goal is connection, not pressure.
Who Are Peer Mentors?
Peer mentors are returning international undergraduate students who volunteer to support new students as they settle in.
Peer mentors are:
- Fellow students, not advisors or supervisors
- Trained to listen, share experiences, and connect students with campus resources
- Student leaders who care about community and belonging
- Peer mentors do not provide academic advising or immigration advising, but they can help you figure out where to go and who to ask.
What Does Participation Look Like?
As a mentee, you can expect:
- A matched peer mentor for one semester
- Casual check-ins (frequency decided together)
- Opportunities to attend optional group events
- Flexibility—your connection can grow in a way that works for you
As a peer mentor, you will:
- Participate in training
- Connect with your assigned mentee(s) throughout the semester
- Attend select group activities
- Commit to one semester of engagement
iPeer in the News
Meet Fascha Aryasa: The UI data science major turning international education into real-world impact
A global vision with local impact: How PhD candidate Jeff Lai is shaping change at Iowa and beyond
Q&A with Frankline Matanji
Program History
In Fall 2020, a project group was formed within the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), including two undergraduate members (Yangyi “Edward” Luo and Zephyr Xiao) and two graduate members (Jeff Lai and Alaa Albashayreh), to discuss the development of a peer mentorship program. Some of the initial goals of the program included connecting a new student with an experienced international student prior to their arrival to help answer questions related to arrival, provide informal advice on academic, career exploration, and connect the new students to campus resources and opportunities once the new students arrive on campus. Additional feedback was gathered from all 2020 – 2021 ISAB members. In Spring 2021, a pilot program was run by the project group members. By the end of Spring 2021, the mentorship program was officially named iPeer Mentorship Program, and the operation of the program was transitioned out of ISAB.
The iPeer Mentorship Program changed its name to "iPeer Connections" in spring 2026.
Program Name
The mentorship program name, iPeer, was selected in spring 2021. “I” stands for “international” and “Iowa.” “Peer” emphasizes the peer connection.