Mentoring in Intercultural and International Contexts

Academia can be a lonely place, especially for those people who are members of marginalized communities. Although at its core institutions of higher education are supposed to be places for knowledge production, exchange and transformation, they can also be the source of anxiety, confusion, and hurt. Effective mentoring helps to provide guidance and support and can ease the transition to and success in higher education.

In this book the authors conceptualize mentoring in the context of critical communication pedagogy and intercultural communication pedagogy. Each chapter employs a critical and cultural lens to mentoring and offers discussions about how our cultural identities or intercultural communication experiences impact our mentoring. It is separated into two major sections. The chapters in "Mentoring and International Experiences" analyze unique situations that international students face in higher education and how effective mentoring can guide these students through academic and life challenges. The second section, "Mentoring and Cultural Contexts," focuses on diverse cultural settings within the higher educational system in the United States and on historically marginalized students and/or faculty.

This edited book will be helpful for various audiences. First, it provides guidance for graduate students, faculty and staff members who are asked to mentor others of diverse backgrounds. Second, it also helps diverse students and faculty to better understand the role of mentoring. And third, it gives ideas on what to do in successful international/intercultural mentor-mentee relationships.

"Mentoring in Intercultural and International Contexts provides compelling examples of critical mentoring partnerships and programs that successfully assist vulnerable students to navigate systemic disadvantages withing the academy. This book is vital reading for anyone who wants a better understanding of mentorship in complex and contradictory environments."

Alberto González, Bowling Green State University