Every semester, the campus becomes a place of new opportunities. Though excited, freshmen may feel lost when seeking ways to cultivate meaningful connections. Incoming freshmen need not worry about this problem any longer. Freshmen who were once in this position have found relations through weekly meetings with their mentors and guidance from experienced peers. This is the Mentoring Program held by the Center for Campus Life & Culture.
The SNU Center for Campus Life & Culture provides many programs for students to better adjust to campus life. These include individual counseling, psychoeducational workshops, a 24-hour crisis hotline called the “SNU Call,” and training sessions for competence development. Out of the many programs, mentoring programs are always popular among students.
Group photo of the Campus Mentoring Program
The Campus Mentoring Program (CMP) is designed specially for freshmen to help them navigate academics and campus life with experienced mentors. Mentors and mentees are matched based on the similarity of their majors, interests and personalities. Once assigned, students plan weekly mentoring program activities together at their own discretion. Students can engage in various experiences to create lasting memories like sharing meals at the campus cafeteria, exploring famous restaurants, visiting the Han River, and watching plays. “The flexibility in planning the program allowed us to become more comfortable and share practical advice more easily as we bonded over activities that suited our interests. It was especially rewarding to take part in experiences that everyone on the team genuinely enjoyed,” said Kim Sohyeon, who participated as mentor in the spring semester of 2024.
Mentor Application Announcement for CMP and SMP
Group photo of the Campus Mentoring Program
The School-life Mentoring Program (SMP) is a program that supports international freshmen adjusting to Korean culture and university life. Freshmen admitted through the international students admissions track participate as mentees and engage in activities including weekly one-on-one mentoring meetings and group mentoring sessions. Throughout these meetings, mentees have the opportunity to socialize, engage in cultural exchange, and build meaningful connections with their mentors.
The SMP distinguishes itself from other student-run exchange initiatives through its comprehensive welfare support. According to Han Kwanghyun, the social welfare expert at the head of the mentoring program, the SMP incorporates a structured cycle of mentoring activities, evaluations, and progress assessments, functioning as a mental health and personal development program. To ensure its effectiveness, experts in social welfare, educational counseling, and psychology from SNU’s Student Life and Culture Center collaborate to provide a robust support system. This professional backing differentiates these programs from informal friendship-based exchange programs, reinforcing its role in fostering both personal and academic growth.
“The reason behind this effort lies in the program’s unique value—going beyond academic support to foster mutual growth for both mentors and mentees while realizing SNU’s educational philosophy,” Han said. Rather than enforcing a more traditional dynamic of teacher and student, the program encourages mentors and mentees to learn from each other. Additionally, it is designed to facilitate cross-cultural exchanges within the university, ultimately contributing to network building and community development.
Applications to participate in this program as a mentee are open every February and August. Those who are interested can look forward to the upcoming recruitment this summer. Whether you are a freshman looking for guidance or an international student navigating a new culture, SNU’s mentoring programs offer a strong support system to help you feel at home. By fostering meaningful connections and shared experiences, these programs create a welcoming community where students can thrive together.
Written by Jeemin Suh, SNU English Editor, jiminasuh@snu.ac.kr