ACEEU is thrilled to share exciting news about one of the latest projects, Bridges by Mentors, a sequel to the highly successful Mentor Your Future project. Partners gathered for the first time in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, on October 16th and 17th, marking the commencement of a compelling mission- to support the integration of international students into the local community while nurturing intercultural exchanges among young people.
The project's key objectives include promoting participation, civic engagement, social inclusion, and enhancing soft skills for both local and international youth. This program aims to foster depolarization and enhance intercultural understanding through a unique method of reverse mentoring. Stay tuned for more details on this innovative method in the upcoming months.
The first meeting was characterized by enthusiasm and collaboration, setting a positive tone for the entire project. Partners engaged in discussions about organizational and regional contexts related to mentoring for international students. Partners explored effective ways to establish contact between our organizations and international students, laying the groundwork for meaningful collaborations. Additionally, the session provided valuable insights into the diverse challenges and opportunities linked to the implementation of mentoring in different regions.
Partners wasted no time in diving into work programs to define the project's next steps. A pivotal focus is the development of a comprehensive Service Delivery Manual for HEIs and creating guidelines for training international students to become mentors to local students. ACEEU is currently working on gaining insights from university staff and regional stakeholders on what they perceive as potential challenges for this process of reverse mentoring to work. ACEEU has held a student panel discussion to understand the attitudes of international students and the barriers they face when trying to integrate into their local communities. The next phase involves finalizing the visual identity of the project and drafting a service delivery manual for HEI’s.
The momentum generated in Plovdiv sets a promising trajectory for the success of Bridges by Mentors!
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