CIGS PEP-TALK

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Council of International Graduate Students (CIGS)

Peer-to-Peer Talk (PEP-TALK)

Program Description

“Pep talk” is defined as offering words of encouragement to help others reach their goals. CIGS PEP-TALK is a collaboration between CIGS and the Graduate School to connect incoming international graduate students (referred to as Peers) with current graduate students (referred to as Guides). The purpose of PEP-TALK is to assist new students to navigate the first semester of their graduate school experience. The 2020-21 academic year is a pilot for this initiative. Priority will be given to (1) newly-admitted international graduate students who are underrepresented at the U of MN, (2) students in doctoral programs with a low percentage of international graduate students, and (3) graduate programs that do not have a peer mentoring program already in place. Participation in PEP-TALK is, therefore, by invitation only.

Program Expectations

• Matching is one-to-one. The official duration of the program is one semester. Peers and Guides can continue to meet beyond this time frame if they so choose.

• When possible, Peers will be paired with Guides within the same graduate program or college.

• Every effort will be made to match Peers and Guides based on preferences indicated in the information form. Exact matches, however, are not guaranteed as pairing is dependent on the pool of Peers and Guides available. 

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, Peers and Guides should meet online at least once-a-month for one hour.  

• Peers and Guides can discuss Peer questions or topics, for example, adjusting to graduate student life, communicating with students/staff/ advisor, and navigating academic culture. Guides may also offer advice on resources (on and off-campus) to help Peers transition smoothly into graduate programs.

• Since policies/procedures often change, Guides cannot provide information or advice on the following:

  • immigration policies or guidelines  

  • academic requirements or departmental processes

  • medical and mental health concerns

  • legal matters

• Peers should contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for updates on immigration policies.  They should also communicate directly with their graduate programs on academic matters. Questions related to physical and mental health concerns should be directed towards Boynton Health Services and/or Student Counseling Services.  Please consult Student Legal Services for legal assistance.

• Guides and Peers are encouraged to contact CIGS for assistance on Peer questions (if they are unsure on addressing them), additional information, and resources.

PEP-TALK Orientation

On Thursday, August 27, 8:30 – 9:30 am (US Central Time), we will host a PEP-TALK orientation via Zoom for Peers and Guides to discuss roles and expectations and to answer questions.  

The orientation will be recorded for those who are unable to attend and for future reference. The Zoom link to join the orientation will be emailed to all Peers and Guides once they have been identified.

Contact

For general questions regarding CIGS PEP-TALK, please email cigsumn@umn.edu. For emails that need to be treated with confidentiality, please email:  andri002@umn.edu  ( Noro Andriamanalina , CIGS advisor and Director of Academic and Professional Development, The Graduate School )