The PASSPORT Program is a volunteer program sponsored by the International Center, Undergraduate Admissions, Alumni Relations and the Advancement Office. The program matches Tufts alumni, parents, faculty, and staff with incoming undergraduate international students for cultural exchange, support and community building. The program has been designed to support international undergraduate students who receive financial aid. Participating students come from a variety of countries such as Kenya, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Vietnam, China, Uganda, Ecuador, and more.
PASSPORT program coordinators match prospective mentors and mentees before the beginning of the Fall semester. The coordinators introduce the partners via email. Afterwards, mentors are expected to initiate contact with the student by sending a welcome e-mail message. Mentors may want to include information about their family, interests, their neighborhood, and where they live in relation to the University. A photo is also helpful.
The role of a PASSPORT mentor is to help an incoming student to transition into their student life in the US. Students who have never been in the US before will likely need advice about how to get around Boston; where to buy clothes and food; and US college life and academic expectations. Students will benefit from the knowledge that their mentors can offer, as they try to learn things in a new environment.
The PASSPORT program is an informal partnership intended to help new students through some scheduled activities and one-on-one meetings with their PASSPORT mentors. Partners participate in the program for one academic year beginning in mid-August through May. Partners are expected to contact each other to set up a meetings and engage in email, phone, and Skype conversations. Mentors typically initiate meetings, but this should eventually become a joint effort. The amount of time spent together is up to each mentor and mentee.
Tufts sponsoring offices will host events for partners to attend including but not limited to a welcome reception.
Alumni and staff find the PASSPORT program as an excellent way to give back to Tufts by supporting new students from across the world as they seek to become a part of the Tufts community. You can make a difference in the life of a new Jumbo by sharing your personal experience at Tufts. You can benefit from exposure to a different culture as well.
"As an international student from Kenya, I was faced a lot of challenges transitioning to college and living in America. I remember the cultural differences, climatic challenges and food differences I experienced. I made it through all these challenges because of my mentor's support."
— David N. (Mentee; Class of 2020)
"As trivial as it may seem-my mentor was a constant breath of fresh air in an otherwise crazy time. The mentorship program provided me with an adviser, a teacher, a cheerleader, and a friend. My mentor became all the things I needed someone to be when I arrived to the U.S."
— Rabecca M. (Mentee; Class of 2020)
We are currently seeking current Tufts faculty and staff to serve as Passport Mentors for the 2022-2023 academic year! Deadline to indicate your interest is July 26! Please indicate your interest by completing this short Mentor Interest Survey Form.
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