Passionate about your study abroad experience and eager to share your journey with fellow Hawkeyes?

The University of Iowa's Study Abroad office is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated students to join our Study Abroad Peer Mentor program. This is a unique opportunity to inspire prospective study abroad students by sharing your personal stories and insights.

Apply here
Sean Keene standing in front of pyramid

What is a Study Abroad Peer Mentor?

Study Abroad Peer Mentors are undergraduate volunteers who have studied or interned abroad during their time at the University of Iowa. As a peer mentor, you will play a crucial role in promoting study abroad and supporting the Study Abroad office by participating in various outreach events on campus. Your firsthand experiences and knowledge will give prospective students a unique and important perspective on the benefits of studying abroad.

Why Become a Peer Mentor?

  • Inspire others: Share your unique experiences and help fellow students understand the value and impact of studying abroad.
  • Develop leadership skills: Enhance your resume with valuable leadership and communication skills gained through mentoring and public speaking.
  • Build a community: Join a network of like-minded individuals who are passionate about global education and cultural exchange.

Responsibilities of a Peer Mentor

As a Study Abroad Peer Mentor, you will have the opportunity to engage in various outreach activities, including:

  • Tabling at Events: Represent the Study Abroad office at the Study Abroad Fair and other tabling events throughout the year.
  • Panel Discussions: Share your experiences and answer questions during study abroad panels and classroom visits.
  • Student Organization Presentations: Speak to student organizations about the benefits of studying abroad.
  • Content Creation: Provide photos and stories for use on the Study Abroad website and social media platforms.
  • One-on-One Mentoring: Share personal experiences and insights with prospective study abroad students through email or social media.

Expectations

  • Peer mentors will be asked to attend the fall kick-off meeting on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
  • Monthly meetings will take place throughout the academic year for team-building activities, outreach training, and professional and leadership development opportunities.

How to Apply

If you are excited about this opportunity and ready to make a positive impact, we encourage you to apply to become a Study Abroad Peer Mentor. The time commitment is approximately 2-4 hours per month. You will be asked to attend regular meetings, including a kick-off meeting in the fall. 

To apply, please fill out the Peer Mentor Application Form below.

Please list the country(s) and city(s) you studied abroad in and include program name(s), session (i.e. winter, spring, summer) and year abroad.
Did you do an internship abroad?
Select any Study Abroad scholarship(s) you received, if any:
(what did you study, unique experiences you had, favorite memory or thing you did on a daily basis, or anything else you'd like to share)
What type of housing did you have? (if you studied abroad more than once, select all that apply)
Please indicate which topics you are interested in discussing with prospective students.

We will periodically reach out to peer mentors with outreach opportunities so you can help promote study abroad in general and/or share your study abroad experiences with prospective study abroad students.

What type of outreach opportunities would you be interested in helping with? (check at least two)

We feature all peer mentors and their contact information on our Study Abroad website. How do you want prospective students to contact you? (fill out one or more)

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