iBuddy mentors share their experiences with new international students, while developing their own leadership skills, strengthening cross-cultural communication, and forming meaningful connections within the international student community. They participate in social events throughout the fall with their mentees and others in the program.

Cross-cultural mentorship

Article by Grace Kearns Photos by Center for Global Programs and Services and courtesy of Kerry-Kearns Bobga | Video by Serafina Carollo April 10, 2025

The iBuddy Mentoring Program welcomes international students into Blue Hen community with support of peer mentors

When first-year engineering major Kerry-Kearns Bobga arrived on campus last fall, he mentally prepared himself for a difficult transition from his home country of Cameroon. He expected to navigate an unfamiliar new campus, culture and community, but he was pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by a friendly face during his first days on campus.

Sophomore Lynette Nsongka, another international student from Cameroon, welcomed Bobga with open arms during International Student Orientation week. While Nsongka and Bobga had been in communication before the school year began, during Orientation Week they really became “iBuddies.”

Each year, the Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) facilitates the iBuddy Mentoring Program, inviting both U.S. and international students to become mentors who will be paired with incoming international students. iBuddy Mentors help connect them with essential resources and strong support systems and help them with acculturation in the U.S. and the Blue Hen community. With the vast majority of international students being graduate students, current master’s and doctoral students are especially encouraged to sign on as mentors.

This mentorship initiative begins recruiting new mentors each spring so that iBuddies can begin providing support to new students in the summer, as they are preparing for departure from their home countries, prior to their arrival in the United States. The support continues throughout the fall — in person — on campus.

When first-year student Kerry-Kearns Bobga arrived on campus last fall from Cameroon, he was pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by his iBuddy mentor, who offered advice on academic planning, recommended study resources, provided tips on time management, and introduced him to different student organizations and on-campus social events. This photo was taken in Chicago at the 50th Annual National Convention of the National Society of Black Engineers early this year in March.

For Bobga, transitioning to campus was “seamless” with the support of his mentor.

“We immediately connected because we share a similar background, and it made me feel more comfortable knowing I had someone who understood the cultural nuances and challenges I might face,” Bobga said. “Her consistent support has helped me build confidence and feel at home at UD, especially in the early stages of my journey.”

According to Bobga, Nsongka has offered advice on academic planning, recommended study resources, and provided tips on time management. The pair even became “study buddies,” in addition to iBuddies, after enrolling in the same introductory chemistry course. Nsongka’s support extends beyond the classroom, as she has introduced Bobga to different student organizations and on-campus social events, which have helped him get more involved in the community.

“My iBuddy mentor helped me break out of my shell,” Bobga said. “When she first invited me to attend an on-campus event, I was initially hesitant to go. I wasn’t sure if I’d know anyone there, but she reassured me. We ended up meeting a lot of interesting people and had an amazing time. I’ll always remember that day because it marked a turning point in my comfort level at UD.”

For Nsongka, becoming an iBuddy mentor not only gave her a platform to share her experiences as an international student, but also provided her with opportunities to develop her leadership skills, strengthen her cross-cultural communication, and form meaningful connections within the international student community. Above all, Nsongka took on this role because she wanted “to be of support and help.”

While Nsongka and Bobga bonded over their shared experiences living in Cameroon, Thabu Thabitha Mugala, a graduate student from Zambia, has supported mentees from all around the world.

“For me, the best part of being an iBuddy mentor is learning about each others’ cultures,” Mugala said. “Since I have been assigned students from different countries, each one teaches me about a new and different culture. One of my mentees is from China, and I am from Zambia, so we decided to exchange gifts from our home countries.”

Meanwhile, Natalie Fournier, a sophomore World Scholar, relates to her mentees as an American student who previously studied abroad in Spain.

“I wanted to be more involved on campus and get to know the international students,” Fournier said. “It has been so fun connecting with them and learning about their home countries.”

Fournier also serves on the iBuddy Council, which involves training new mentors, brainstorming and coordinating social events, and assisting with International Student Orientations. Serving on the iBuddy Council provides exceptional mentors with hands-on leadership opportunities, which enhance student résumés and increase cultural competences.

Every year, around 75 UD students volunteer to serve as mentors to incoming international students, helping to connect them with essential resources and strong support systems and with acculturation in the U.S. and the Blue Hen community. With the vast majority of international students being graduate students, current master’s and doctoral students are especially encouraged to become iBuddy mentors.

Additional iBuddy responsibilities include contacting international students in early summer, offering information and advice to help them prepare for their arrival in the United States, co-leading campus tours, addressing their questions about campus life, and conducting regular check-ins. The program hosts social events like picnics and athletics outings throughout the fall to provide opportunities for all mentors and mentees to get together.

The program was developed in 2018 after results of the International Student Barometer, an annual survey that measures international student satisfaction, pointed to the need for more support for new students.

CGPS — with the help of current international students at the time — developed the mentoring program to address students’ direct feedback. Starting with only nine mentors who helped design the program based on mentoring programs they had had at previous institutions, the program has grown to an average of 75 mentors every year.

Since launching the iBuddy Mentoring Program and other enhanced services to support new students, the ISB has reported a notable increase in satisfaction across key metrics relating to pre-arrival orientation and the arrival process.

CGPS staff provide training and support to new mentors — this year on April 12 — but students mostly rely on their own experience as a Blue Hens to give advice and share their own past lessons learned about being new on campus.

“An iBuddy helps you feel more connected and less isolated, especially if you're new to the university or coming from a different background,” Bobga said. “It’s a great way to build meaningful friendships while also gaining valuable advice from someone who has been through similar experiences.”

Applications for the 2025-26 iBuddy Mentors are now open. To apply, please visit the iBuddy Mentoring Program page on the CGPS website and submit your application by April 11. Note that mandatory training will be held in person on April 12.

iBuddy mentors Natalie Fournier and Thabu Thabitha Mugala share about their experiences in the mentorship program.

iBuddy Mentoring Program for International Students: https://capture.udel.edu/media/1_q7ix6muo/

About the Center for Global Programs and Services

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the UD campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.

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