Mentoring Advice

For International Students

Introductions/get to know each other: 

Share your career experiences and specialization at Cornell and learn about the student’s background and interests.  Learn where they are from and share your international experience.

Clarify how/when to contact you:

• Office hours?  
• Drop in?  
• email? 
• Office or cell phone?  
• Are you available weekends or evenings?

Transfer credits:  

• Were your credits evaluated? 
• Do they look OK? 
• Did you submit your final transcript?

See credits on DUST (students and advisors can use)

Class schedule:  

What is it, how many credits? 
Suggest limit of 15 in 1st semester

Living situation and adjustment: 

• Where are you living? 
• Do you have roommates? 
• How’s it going?
• How are you coping with being in the US?  

In addition to providing immigration assistance, the International Student and Scholars Office (ISSO) offers students a number of other services including: activities, trips, informational workshops, and resources for English language classes.

Travel:

• Will you be traveling home (or elsewhere) regularly? 
• Where and how frequently?

Finances:

• Is your financial situation OK? (Bursar and/or Financial Aid)
• Are you working?
• How many hours?

Suggest a work limit of 10-12 hours per week if possible

Clubs/student organizations: 

Have you joined or considered some, what are they?
Suggest limit of 1 or 2 in 1st semester

What are some of your career-related interests/ideas?

• Create a Student Profile in Handshake 
• Develop your resume
• Meet with a career advisor by appointment to begin to explore your career interests