Javelinas United Mentoring Program (JUMP)
Javelinas United Mentoring Program (JUMP) is designed to help new international students connect with experienced TAMUK students, traditions, customs, and to develop friendships and expand social network. If you are interested in being a JUMP member, please complete a JUMP application for mentor or mentee.
The mission of Javelinas United Mentoring Program (JUMP) is to provide a semester of continued support to first semester international students attending Texas A&M University-Kingsville. In addition, to increase involvement, retention and confidence in every incoming international student who is part of the Office of International Student & Scholar Services. If interested in joining JUMP, fill out the Javelina Mentoring Program Application. The completed form may be emailed to oisss@Tamuk.edu
A critical resource of successful mentoring partner is their knowledge of the norms, values, and procedures of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. These are essential, but there are also personal and professional characteristics that contribute to the effectiveness of the Javelina United Mentoring Program. These include the following considerations:
- Values the mentor and mentee as a person.
- Develops mutual trust and respect.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Actively listens to each other.
- Asks open-ended and gender neutral, supportive questions and provides constructive feedback.
- Motivates and encourages each other to learn about other cultures.
- Commit to one semester term (renewable at the end of each term).
- Contact assigned JUMP Mentee within one (1) week of designation as JUMP Mentor.
- Set a specific time and place to meet for the first meeting. The Memorial Student Union (MSUB) is a good place – you can relocate to one of the comfortable lounging chairs on the hallway for your initial conversation. TAMUK Starbucks or game room are also good options.
- Confirm first meeting with OISSS Staff member, Veronica De Leon (veronica.deleon@tamuk.edu), via e-mail; copy message to the Director, Mr. Peter Li (peter.li@tamuk.edu).
- Select a public space at TAMUK Campus for future meetings.
- If for some reason you cannot keep an appointment, contact JUMP Mentee to explain the reason for your failure to show up and re-establish a new appointment; copy message to the OISSS Staff member.
- If you need additional ideas for meeting places, please contact OISSS.
- Meet for coffee or other non-alcoholic drinks.
- Eat lunch on campus together. Talk about the food, which can lead to a conversation about foods across the world.
- Ask your JUMP Mentee to teach you to cook something or vice versa you teach your mentee to cook your favorite food.
- Invite your JUMP Mentee to an activity they have never done before. (i.e football game, tailgate, etc.)
- Talk about differences in U.S. educational institutions, culture, and communications styles.
- Discuss any of the following:
- Favorite pastimes: films, outings, and other social functions.
- Art and/or artists.
- Culture shock.
- Current events.
- Places to visit.
- Family and social relations.
- Values and assumptions.
- Cultural traditions and customs.
- Special holidays.
- Traditional food.
- Education Systems.
- Political structures.
- What are some cultural practices in your country that we do not have in the US?
- What did you do for fun over the summer?
- What surprised you when you met American people in the USA?
- What is your most difficult class right now?
- What is your favorite class right now?
- Do you have a best friend? Describe him or her.
- Who is your favorite professor of the classes you are studying right now?
- What are the qualities you like best in your professors?
- How do your classes here at TAMUK compare to those you took in your home country?
- How did you decide to come to TAMUK?
- What characteristic about yourself do you like or dislike the most?
- Describe your dorm/apartment/other living arrangement right now. What do you like about it? What would you change?
- Do you have a driver’s license? What is your dream car?
- Which political figures interest you the most? Why?
- What are your life goals for the next five years?
- What are you most passionate about in your life? Why?
- Would you prefer to be a successful businessman or businesswoman or a successful father or mother? Why do you think you would choose one over the other?
- If you found a briefcase filled with cash, what would you do? Would you try to return it to the owner or keep it for yourself?
- If your JUMP Mentee or Mentor visited you in your home country, but he or she only had one day to spend in your city (province, country), where would you take him or her? Why there?
- What is the most important lesson your parents taught you? Explain.
- Who is the greatest person of your nationality to live (in history)? Why?
- Do you have any personal heroes? Who are they? (Name both living and dead.)
- What film have you recently seen that you liked? Explain why.
- What is your favorite American tv show?
- Which foods have you most enjoyed in the US? Which do you not enjoy?
- What is a problem in your country that you’d like to see your government or people solve?
- What charities would you donate to if you had the money and time?
- Can you sing or play an instrument? What type of songs do you enjoy? Who are your favorite artists?
- If you were stranded on an island, what book would you want with you? Why?
- Do not use this pairing to proselytize, (preach religion), or strive to convert the JUMP Mentee/Mentor to any religious notion. It is not acceptable to criticize other religions or make negative comments. However, it is ok to ask questions about religion if you can be open and positive about unfamiliar practices.
- Do not use conversation time as a chance to practice your own second language. If your JUMP Mentee/Mentor speaks a language that you would like to learn or improve on, it is ok to ask him or her to meet another time to practice that language, but do so in a manner that will allow him or her to refuse without feeling bad about doing so.
- Do not squeeze two hours (two weeks’ required meetings) into one meeting. This is expressly forbidden because the second hour is not nearly as productive as the first. If you choose to go beyond an hour, this is fine but you are expected to meet for a minimum of one hour EACH week.
- If the match of the JUMP Match does not seem to work, that is, you have very different personalities and/or interests, contact OISSS for a change as soon as possible. Understand that it might take some time to re-match with another JUMP Mentee or Mentor, but every effort will be made to do so.
- Inform the OISSS Staff member if your JUMP Mentor or Mentee fails to show up and does not contact you about it. Presumably, you will engage in this activity because you are interested in getting to know a JUMP Member. Some domestic students might choose to participate in this program because they are seeking ways to fulfill educational, professional, or personal goals. This is fine, but be aware that there are definite expectations and responsibilities that must be adhered to if your participation is continued. The immediate and permanent goal of the program is to help your JUMP Mentee make a new friend, learning about another culture, and knowing that you have made a difference in the life of another person.
If you would like further information, please contact OISSS at OISSS@tamuk.edu or via phone at (361) 593-3317. Feel free to visit our offices at Cousins Hall Rm. 113.