Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Transition Peer Mentoring

Mentor working with student explaining a document

Peer Mentoring

The Transition Peer Mentor program is designed to help incoming students transition to their life as a grad student in San Antonio. Current GSBS students are “paired” with an incoming student based on common factors such as home state or undergraduate institution.

Once paired, current students engage with their mentee (generally via email) to answer simple questions and help point students in the “right” direction. Transition peer mentors can answer questions such as, 

  • Where do I go grocery shopping?

  • Which apartments should I be looking at? 

  • What does a typical course load look like?

Peer mentors work with new students to educate them on campus resources, co-curricular activities, and adjusting to lab life. We invite you to take advantage of our peer mentoring service and get connected with a current UT Health Student.

 

GSBS International Student Ambassador Program

In 2022, we have initiated a new “GSBS international Student Ambassador Program” designed, in conjunction with our Graduate Student International Club (GSIC), to help incoming international students transition to the city of San Antonio, and the United States. In this program, incoming GSBS students are “paired” with a current student based on common academic and social backgrounds. 

International Student Ambassadors may help with questions such as,

  • How do I get to campus from the airport? 
  • What are some cultural norms I should understand in advance? 
  • Where do I go grocery shopping? 
  • What factors should I consider when applying for housing? 
  • How did you overcome homesickness or cultural shock?

Our office collaborates with the Graduate Student International Club to host a newly admitted/accepted student virtual coffee hour where they may receive additional support and get questions answered by current students. 

 

To Sign-Up for these programs, students can complete the Transition Peer Mentor Application Form. Contact gsbsadmissions@uthscsa.edu to learn more.