Information for Mentees in the Staff Mentor Program
Are you coming from abroad for your doctorate, as a postdoc, or visiting professor and are registered with our Welcome Center for International Researchers?
To help you settle into life at RWTH and in Aachen at the beginning of your stay, we offer you the chance to participate in our Staff Mentor Program. Your experienced mentor will help you with initial queries and questions about life at RWTH and in the City of Aachen. You will thus quickly get used to university life, suitable leisure activities, and hopefully meet many German and international researchers, too!
Please sign up for the program well ahead of your stay. We will do our best to find a suitable mentor for you before you come to Aachen.
Heard About IntSpire – the Internationalization Prize?
Institutions and individuals who are particularly committed to internationalization can be nominated for this award.
FAQ on the Staff Mentor Program
What does a Staff Mentor's support generally entail?
Staff Mentors are experienced university members who work in academic or administrative areas. They know RWTH and the City of Aachen well and are on hand to answer any questions you have about your research stay. This includes necessary organizational steps and formalities that you will have to take care of at the beginning of your stay. Your mentor can also support you with appointments at the authorities or can help you whenever language barriers may cause a problem.
It is not always possible to match you with a mentor at the same faculty as you. However, mentors usually have a good network of friends and contacts who can also help you.
When should I sign up?
We recommend that you sign up as early as possible. This will give us enough time to find a suitable mentor for you and to put you in touch at least four weeks before you come to Aachen.
Will my Staff Mentor have the same academic background as me?
We welcome all university members to get involved with intercultural activities. Our Staff Mentors represent academic or administrative areas across all faculties. Your mentor may, therefore, have a different academic background or be at a different career level than you.
I would only like a male/female mentor.
You can state your preferences for your mentor when you sign up and we will try to take this information into account when matching you, however, we cannot make any guarantees.
My Staff Mentor is not responding to my emails or calls. What can I do?
Staff Mentors offer their help voluntarily in addition to their normal job. Maybe your mentor is very busy at the moment? Please try to talk to them first to discuss your needs. Your mentor may be able to support you online or put you in contact with other people.
However, if you do not manage to contact them and you do not receive sufficient support, please contact us by email.
Will my Staff Mentor pick me up from the station?
Staff Mentors offer their help voluntarily in addition to their normal job and mostly during their regular working hours. However, you are welcome to ask them if they can come to welcome you at the station when you come to Aachen.
Contact
Welcome Center / StaffMentor Program