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

• 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.

Register now

It will take 2 to 3 weeks to connect you with a graduate navigator.

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Current students: Become an International Grad Navigator

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.

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 their second term of program or later.
• Currently reside in Ontario.
• Signs up and attends one of the welcome sessions to receive basic training and guidelines.
• 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.

Applications for current students who would like to help new graduate students are now closed.

All new navigators must attend one of the following welcome sessions on Zoom:

• June 24, 10:30 to 11 a.m.
• June 25, 10 to 10:30 a.m.
• June 26, 1:30 to 2 p.m.

If you were a Grad Navigator in a previous term, please complete the sign-up form. Although returning navigators are not required to join one of the upcoming sessions, you are encouraged to attend one of the 30-minute welcome sessions again, to learn about new developments and connect with other navigators.