Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Graduate Studies

International Grad Navigator

Nervous about starting school in an unfamiliar place? Make a familiar connection and get support from a current international graduate student to help you adjust to your new life in Canada.

Are you beginning your graduate journey in May 2023? Registration is open now.

International grad navigators are current international graduate student volunteers who has “been there, done that”. They are eager to connect and help new international graduate students navigate their first-term experience by providing support from the perspective of a shared cultural background using a shared language that will help new students feel at home.

Goals

a silver compass, with the arrow pointing north

  • Ease the transition period and create a sense of belonging.
  • Build lasting connections between students, the university, and the community.
  • Decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  • Address unique cultural needs with shared perspectives.

What to expect

After you sign up, you will be matched with an international grad navigator. You are encouraged to communicate with your navigator through any preferred way that you both agree on (email, video chat, social media, in-person chats, etc.).

Benefits of connecting with an international grad navigator:

  • Establish connections with another student who have been through similar experiences.
  • Communicate in a language with which you are comfortable.
  • Access and learn about other university and community resources.

Registration for students starting their graduate program in Spring 2023 is open.

Complete this registration form to get matched with a Grad Navigator. Your will receive your match’s information through email, 1-2 weeks after submitting your registration.

International Grad Navigators

International grad navigators are current McMaster international graduate students who are caring, mature, and understand the challenges incoming international grad students may face before – and during – their first term.

Applications are now closed for students who want to be a grad navigator in the 2022-2023 academic year. Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year will open in June 2023. 

Benefits of becoming an international grad navigator:

  • Enhance leadership and communication skills.
  • Gain volunteer experience that can be added to your resume.
  • Receive a letter that confirms your role in the program (upon request).
  • Connect new students to other student and community groups.
  • Connection with staff from Graduate Studies for additional support.

Requirements and expectations of navigators:

  • Be a current student who is in your second term of program or later.
  • Currently reside in Ontario.
  • Attend one of the four welcome sessions to receive basic training and guidelines.
    • Returning navigators who previously attended a welcome session, do not need to attend a second session.
  • Initiate communications with assigned new student.
  • Ensure a minimum of one communication a month, to check in with assigned new student during their first term.
  • Refer new students to relevant departments and service areas of the university, if the student’s needs are beyond the navigator’s scope.

Image: “compass” by samwilliamson99 is licensed under CC BY 2.0