Following the example of mentorship programs developed in Canadian universities by WUSC (World University Service of Canada), TandEM mentorship scheme wants to promote the active participation of students in building more cohesive societies, while enhancing peer-to-peer models among young people with migratory backgrounds in Italy and Spain. Orientale University of Naples, Sapienza University of Rome and University of Pisa in Italy, together with Complutense University of Madrid in Spain, are project’s starting points and laboratories in the European context. University committees have already been created, and local students are already supporting the inclusion of their foreign peers in different areas:
Administrative and Legal Support: Registration procedures/ Information on university fees and exemptions/ Visa renewal procedures/ Documents translation/ Procedure for the recognition of Foreign Titles.
Academic Support: Definition of study plan/ Exam preparation/ Notes and handouts sharing/ Access to libraries/ Creation of a second-hand textbooks research and exchange’s system/ Organization of linguistic. tandems and language courses.
Social Support: Introduction to city’s services (e.g. health and social services, transportation system, driving license procedures etc.)/ House hunting support/ Events organization (e.g. cultural trips, recreational activities, sport)/ Information and support with bank accounts and telephone/internet plans/ Orientation and tips on local cultural approaches/ CV creation and job-seeking support.
Communication and Awareness Raising: Raising university community awareness on project’s topics and mentoring activities/ Sharing project’s achievements through social networks, university radio channels and university magazines/ Organization of public events (conferences and debates)/ Sharing positive stories and good practices.