Mentors Assisting the Transition Experience (MATE)

Students interested in being mentored
Students interested in being a mentor

Students interested in being mentored

Attention new international students - before traveling to Melbourne, Australia, we encourage you to join our 'MATE' program.

‘Mate’ is an expression that Australians use to greet one another (‘G’day mate’), and it means a friend that you are loyal to, and who you will help when they are in need.

RMIT is offering you the opportunity to be in touch with an experienced RMIT student via e-mail correspondence. This way you will have someone to answer questions, share tips on local culture and practice new language skills with. Having a MATE partner is a great way of extending your social network and linking up to groups and services both on and off campus.

Your MATE Mentor will email you from 1 December to 12 March 2010. The program continues until 28 June 2010 with events, workshops and activities. In semester 2, 2009 our MATE Mentors and Mentees participated in many different events, including a footy game at the MCG! Next semester, we will have even more activities for you to participate in.

To register for the MATE program as a new international student (Mentee) please fill out the MATE Registration Form

For more information, please email mate@rmit.edu.au

Students interested in being a mentor

MATE is designed to assist the social and cultural transition of new international students to RMIT.

The program has currently enrolled RMIT students emailing new international students (five for each Mentor) before they leave their home country. Then there are a range of activities that everyone can join.

Through participation in MATE you have the opportunity to:

Understand the processes of transition and adjustment to new cultures
Develop your leadership skills
Utilise social support strategies
Develop cross-cultural communication skills
Build confidence in working with small groups of students
Utilise different types of communication to promote eg email, face to face, online
Gain a better understanding of support services and how to effectively refer to
Student Services support

RMIT students can participate in two ways, LEAD Volunteer or WIL:

RMIT LEAD volunteer (1 Dec – 12 Mar 2010)
This involves five hours of leadership training, minimum of 15 hours of volunteer work in MATE. Mentors will receive a LEAD certificate signed by the Vice-Chancellor.

5 hours of email contact with up to five Mentees
6 hours of volunteering in orientation and transition activities at RMIT
4 hours participation in a social or cultural events in Melbourne City

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or Placement Option (1 Dec – 28 June 2010)
Some schools have included MATE as an option for WIL/Placement/Field Work. This will run for 30-35 days. In addition to the above LEAD volunteer responsibilities, the WIL/Placement option will involve:

Coordinating an activity during the semester/orientation time (training will be provided)
Attending regular group supervision with a Student Services Group staff member
Additional training (e.g. Organisational and management skills, Engaging groups and facilitating teams, Managing conflict, Networking skills)
A job reference will be awarded outlining your involvement in MATE

Please note: If you are interested in the WIL option, please contact your WIL Coordinator. Your WIL Coordinator is welcome to discuss this option with the MATE Coordinator, Alison Bolger.

To register your interest in being a MATE Mentor, please complete the MATE Mentor Registration Form

For more information on being a MATE Mentor, please email mate@rmit.edu.au and a MATE Mentor Role Description with timelines will be emailed to you.