Published on Brock University (http://www.brocku.ca)
University Mentorship (UM) Program
Who is Eligible?
What are the Features of the UM Program?
When does the UM Program run?
Where is the UM Program Offered?
How do I Become Involved?
UM Participants Archive
Brock's UNIVERSITY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (UM) welcomes visiting faculty, staff, students, and other scholars from academic institutions in other nations to visit Brock for an extended period, to interact and collaborate with Brock faculty, staff and students in a range of academic and administrative professional development activities.
Who is Eligible?
The UM is designed for faculty, staff, students and other scholars who are interested in professional development or internship opportunities with peers and mentors, not in further degree-related academic study. Participants are responsible for covering their own expenses for travel, accommodations, and any ancillary requirements (visa fees, health insurance coverage, etc.). In most cases, participants have been awarded funding by their home governments or institutions for international travel, accommodation, and living costs.
What are the Features of the UM Program?
Activities may include:
- research activities with Brock faculty member such as a lab internship
- academic or administrative job shadowing
- observation of teaching and learning techniques and classroom activities
- collaborative curriculum development
A volunteer faculty or staff mentor from within the Brock community works with the UM participant. The mentor's duty is to facilitate the participant's academic and / or professional activities while at Brock, e.g.:
- to serve as an advisor and key contact person for the participant
- to provide guidance and/or engage in collaborative or directed research
- to serve as an interface with the rest of the brock community
- to create opportunities for interaction with academics and professionals in the participant's area of interest, and to engage the participant in meaningful representative professional activity
- to provide non-obtrusive opportunities for the participant to observe and interact with classes and seminars (academic) or other administrative meetings
Brock International will issue a formal letter of invitation to selected participants, make ground transportation arrangements between Pearson International Airport or Buffalo International Airport and St. Catharines (Ontario), provide assistance in finding local accommodations, link participants with other university colleagues, and arrange university email account, internet access and library borrowing privileges. Brock International will publicize the arrival of participants and offer every opportunity for interaction with the broader brock community, including hosting formal social events such as the "We Welcome the World Reception" for new VIP, VIS and UM participants each term.
Brock International also offers shared office space in the International Centre, and at times, within the academic or administrative host department (although this cannot be guaranteed). In addition to James A. Gibson University Library, there are a number of public spaces on campus for study and wireless internet access.
Participants will receive no formal degrees, diplomas, or other formal academic credit for their stay at Brock, although Brock International can provide an official letter indicating the nature and extent of the activities undertaken once their stay at Brock has ended.
When does the UM Program run?
The UM program runs throughout the year, although July and August are traditional summer vacation months for many Canadians.
Where is the UM Program Offered?
The UM program is offered at the main campus of Brock University, by all participating academic and administrative units.
How do I Become Involved?
If you are interested in applying to the University Mentorship program:
- Determine your exact area of interest by consulting the Brock University website (http://www.brocku.ca) and academic calendars.
- Contact the offices of Brock International (NOT the academic or administrative unit you are interested in) by submitting the online Application Form.
- A letter of support from a supervisor or senior administrator at your home institution would also be helpful to your application.
- Upon receipt of your statement of interest, Brock International will then contact the faculty or staff members active in your area of interest, to see if anyone is willing or able to act as a mentor.
- If a willing mentor is located, Brock International will be in contact with you for next steps. (Registration Form, Fee Payment, Formal Invitation Letter, etc.)
It is important to note that Brock can only accommodate a limited number of participants in the University Mentorship program, and that faculty or staff members volunteer to be mentors. Therefore we cannot guarantee acceptance.
You can learn more about courses and programs available at Brock by checking the Brock website (http://www.brocku.ca) and the graduate and undergraduate calendars.