RSU thanks student mentors for the first time for supporting new students
Photo: Courtesy of RSU
On May 20, Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) held an event to thank student mentors who supported new students during the 2025/2026 academic year, helping them successfully begin their studies and adapt to student life.
In total, 213 mentors completed the RSU Mentorship Programme this academic year – 109 international student mentors trained by the RSU International Department, and 104 local student mentors prepared by the RSU Student Union.
The mentorship programme helps students integrate into the academic environment
The RSU Mentorship Programme is an important part of the university’s support system, promoting the integration of new students into both the academic and social environment. Mentors assist both international and local students in navigating the study process, everyday university life, and life in Riga, while also providing emotional support during the first semester.
Here is what Karolīna Rimša, RSU Student Union Head of Social Affairs, says about her experience:
‘The Mentorship Programme is an excellent experience for both the mentor and the mentee. It gives the mentee the opportunity to integrate more easily into a new environment, understand their faculty better, and build valuable connections for the future. For the mentor, it is also a meaningful and fulfilling experience – an opportunity to support and encourage those who are just beginning their journey, by sharing their own experience and helping others settle into the new environment more easily!’
Sharing experiences and insights on mentoring
During the event, mentors were recognised for their hard work and were able to exchange insights with one another, as well as attend a lecture on mentoring. The lecture was delivered by PhD Anita Gaile, Economics and Business Programme Group Leader at the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences, who shared her experience. She emphasised the role of mentors in students’ development and the importance of successful collaboration between mentors and mentees.
Mentoring strengthens belonging to the RSU community
Mentor involvement provides significant benefits to both international and local students, as well as to the mentors themselves, by developing communication, leadership, and intercultural cooperation skills, and strengthening their sense of belonging to the RSU community.
The event was organised by the RSU Career Support and Wellbeing Centre, whose goal is to promote student wellbeing, career development, and mutual support within the university environment. Organising the event, Acting Manager of the Centre Lelde Kozilāne, emphasised the importance of mentoring as a sustainable support tool for both personal and academic growth of students.
