Peer Mentors Program Leverages Student Experiences Abroad

From assisting archeological digs in Greece to studying Italian in Rome to immersing himself in Viennese culture, rising senior Nathaniel Heffron has made the most of all that The University of Texas at Austin’s study abroad programs have to offer.   

With three summer programs under his belt, Heffron joined the Peer Mentors Program so he could guide and encourage his fellow students toward the same kind of enriching academic experiences that he found through international education.  

"Our peer mentors are a critical part of our team, recruiting, advising and shepherding students through the exploration and application phases of studying abroad,” said Daniel Ach, assistant director of Texas Global’s Education Abroad unit. “They are passionate about the sort of life-changing experience students can have abroad because they have had their own lives changed and want to share it.”   

First Resource for First-Timers  

The Peer Mentors Program, administered by Education Abroad at Texas Global, aims to provide guidance to students considering study abroad from peers who’ve done it before and can answer their questions. Responsible for outreach and advising fellow students, peer mentors can be found tabling on Speedway or promoting the program in classrooms, but they also are available for one-on-one meetings with students.  

“We’re the first line of line of support for students who are looking for answers to questions about study abroad,” said Heffron. “We talk students through their application questions, questions about which kind of program works best for them — or if they just want to chat with someone about their experiences, we're that first line.”  

Ach also spoke to the relatability of peer mentors, a quality which makes these student advisors a unique and essential asset to the department and its work. 

“They know what students care about because they are students, themselves,” Ach said. “They know what challenges students might face because they’ve faced them and overcome them. They know what support students might need because they have built the support structures themselves.”  

Opening the Path to Study Abroad 

Peer mentors also help to dispel the reasons often cited by students who believe studying abroad isn’t an option for them. While most students want to study abroad, many are deterred by preconceived notions that they may not have time in their degree plan, or that it isn’t affordable.   

“A lot of what we do is helping students see that even though they have rigorous major requirements, it’s still very feasible to fit in a study abroad program,” said Heffron.  

With the conviction that educational experiences abroad are critical for students to gain an international perspective and set themselves apart on academic and career paths, Education Abroad offers copious resources and information on scholarships for interested students.  

“Besides fitting study abroad into a degree plan, funding a study abroad is the biggest inhibitor that deters students — but scholarships will help with that so much,” Heffron continued. “There are so many more than people think there are, and fewer people apply for them than people think.”  

Broadening Horizons Further 

Besides showing fellow students that Yes, they can study abroad, peer mentors also encourage them to explore the vast range of options available and truly make the most of studying abroad. 

In addition to faculty-led programs during May or summer Terms, Education Abroad offers a huge variety of programs that vary in duration, cost and purpose to cater to every student’s financial and academic needs.  

For students who want to study alongside locals, reciprocal exchange programs exist in partnership with more than 130 renowned universities and partner organizations around the world. Affiliated programs cover hundreds of locations, span thousands of topics and include experiential learning opportunities such as service learning and internships.  

For students who want to conduct their own research or intern in another country, applying to Global Career Launch or an independent study or research program would be most productive. And those who want to participate in international community service might head in the direction of Projects with Underserved Communities.  

Peer mentors become familiar with all types of study abroad programs and can advise fellow students to find appropriate options — sometimes even in locations they hadn’t previously considered.   

“People limit themselves to the countries that they know lots of people travel to, or they have a lot of friends going there,” said Heffron, “but we have so many programs in so many different countries that you never would have thought about.” 

While popular study abroad destinations like Barcelona or London offer amazing programs, peer mentors help to highlight a fuller range of possibilities, including less-traveled destinations as well as more niche programs that students may not know about (but may be more suited to).  

“All those programs are definitely worth a look,” said Heffron. “You may find a program you wouldn’t have considered right out the gate but offers so much more.”  

Benefits of Mentoring 

As for Heffron himself, his post-grad plans have been heavily shaped by studying abroad and working as a peer mentor. Before applying to graduate school, he plans to take a gap year to continue his travels and apply for a Fulbright teaching scholarship. His decision, he said, was guided by the information and advice he gained through his time spent within the Peer Mentors Program.  

“Studying abroad and peer mentorship taught me that I love immersing myself in different cultures and talking about travel and connecting with different people,” said Heffron. “It feels like something that’s really important, and it definitely influenced my decision to take a gap year.”  

While acknowledging that studying abroad is first and foremost an educational experience, Heffron encourages the students who consult with him to embrace more than academics by also diving into the cultural aspect of their travels — by exploring regional landmarks, speaking with locals, or simply remembering to enjoy the journey and all it has to offer. 

“Find things to get excited about, like visiting attractions or picking up a bit of the language,” Heffron said. "Remember not to take the fun out of it!”  

Peer mentors embody the goals of Education Abroad: to encourage anyone and everyone to learn without limitations. They show their fellow students that what might seem daunting is not only possible but actually feasible and exciting.  

“In short, peer mentors do for our office what we hope all our students will do for the entire community and workplace,” said Ach. “They take the skills and experience they have gained, and they change the world."