International Peer Mentors

We are excited to introduce our International Peer Mentor Team!

WHO: RISD OISS is excited to introduce our International Peer Mentor Team as a new initiative to support the international student experience. The mentor team is comprised of two graduate and five undergraduate students.

WHAT: Peer mentorship and support is something that international students have requested as a resource and a guide to navigating the international student experience at RISD and in the US. The International Peer Mentor offering will provide international students with assistance throughout their time at RISD. The drop-in hours are open to any student who considers themselves part of the international student community.

WHERE: Zoom Drop-Ins

TOPICS THAT YOU MIGHT VISIT AN INTERNATIONAL PEER MENTOR FOR:

Shopping & Food
Connecting with campus resources: housing, academic support, registration, etc
Classroom experience
Outside of the classroom activities, events and clubs
Navigating and learning about life and culture in the U.S.
Homesickness
Sharing your experiences and culture/ connection

*Immigration-specific advising must be arranged with an OISS Professional Staff Member

Jingqi Wang

2022 Painting, GR

Languages: Mandarin, English, and conversational Mongolian

Home: Born in China and raised in Mongolia, for me, home is where the things and people important to me are.

I like old cartoons and, according to my professors, I make whimsical paintings. I have two cats: one looks like a cinnamon roll, the other one is a cow cat.

Muhaddisa Ali

2024 Graphic Design, UG

Languages: English, Urdu, Basic Korean

Home: I call both Pakistan and Providence my home.

I am Muslim. I absolutely love cats and pandas. I have too many panda themed items from stickers to plushies to stationary, and a fun fact about me is that I once took care of about 14 cats at the same time. I also have a keen interest in interior design, fashion and recently picked up crocheting. I love reading but am really bad at keeping up with it haha and I have recently been obsessed with checkered patterns. At RISD, I'm currently working 3 on campus jobs and am also part of 2 clubs: RSJP and The baby shoe house collective.

Sari Sandler

2022 Graphic Design, UG

Languages: Russian, Hebrew, English and beginner French

Home: Born in Israel, live in Russia. Home is where my family is.

I am excited to become part of a larger community, create and develop both in my studies but also as a person.

Sichen Grace Chen

2022 Illustration + LAS, UG

Languages: English, Mandarin, and French

Home: I am Chinese-Canadian and I call Langley, Canada, home!

Hi everyone! I'm Grace and I'm currently a senior in illustration who loves narrative work and design. Catch me obsessing over a certain colour palette or new concept art. Outside of the studio, I love bringing people together whether that is through food or entertainment. Hopefully, as an international peer mentor, I will be able to help international students find a sense of belonging, stability, and community at RISD!

WHEN: The International Peer Mentors have both Zoom and In Person Drop-In Advising Hours for Spring 2022! See when each peer mentor is available below:

Muhaddisa: Mondays from 9am-12pm
Sari: Wednesdays from 12pm-4:30pm
Grace: Fridays from 9am-12pm

Met with a Peer Mentor? Please complete this 3-minute survey to help us improve our services