Community
Langara Global is a central service resource for students. We are here to help students with general questions about living in Vancouver, studying at Langara, and getting involved on campus.
We offer many programs to give you opportunities to get involved with our community.
Langara Global Volunteer Program
The Langara Global Volunteer Program supports special events and ongoing activities for students at Langara.
Volunteers receive training and orientation to gain valuable skills while supporting the Langara Global office. Langara Global volunteers plan and organize a variety of cultural events, social gatherings, and recreational activities.
Examples of volunteer opportunities:
- Participate in a committee to plan off-campus events
- Lead campus tours and assist at orientation sessions
- Assist at on-campus cultural and special events
- Assist in workshops
- Manage Langara Global Volunteer social media account
- Create promotional content for events led by LGVs
Volunteering has many benefits. Volunteers feel great about helping others, meeting new people, experiencing new things, and developing new skills. In appreciation of their contributions, each volunteer is presented with a reference letter and a Statement of Achievement at the successful completion of their time in the Langara Global Volunteer Program. Incentives may be awarded to exceptional volunteers.
All selected volunteers are enthusiastic, outgoing, and willing to be trained by the Langara Global team. In addition, all volunteers must:
- Be a registered student at Langara College (international or domestic)
- Be currently studying in their first semester at Langara or have completed at least one semester at Langara prior to applying
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.33
- Commit to volunteering a minimum of 20 hours per semester
- Commit to volunteering for a minimum of two semesters
Step 1: Apply
Complete an online application.
Step 2: Interview
Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview.
Step 3: Screening
Verifying information for selected candidates.
Step 4: Training Session (Date TBD)
This is a mandatory session for the successful candidates.
Thank you for your interest. We are no longer accepting applications for LGVP. Thank you!
i-Guide Mentorship
The i-Guide Mentorship Program matches current students with new international students during their first semester at Langara College. i-Guide mentors have studied at Langara for at least one semester they provide guidance, advice, support, and friendship to new or less experienced students.
For many international students, the first semester in a new country can be lonely and can cause stress as they struggle with the cultural adjustment. The i-Guide Mentorship Program helps new students adapt more easily and feel connected to the college community.
- Students will be paired by the Langara Global team based on the information provided in the application
- Mentors and mentees will first meet in person at a welcome social and reception at the beginning of the semester
- Mentors will reach out to their assigned student at least once per week for one semester
- Meeting for coffee or lunch
- Answering questions about Langara, Vancouver, and Canadian culture
- Helping new students with the essential (library, transit, shopping, banking, or mobile phone services)
- Participating in social, cultural, or recreational activities at Langara or in Vancouver
Become a Mentee or Mentor
To become a mentee or a mentor, please ensure you are registered for classes in Summer 2023. Complete ALL of the following by FRIDAY, May 19, 2023 (Pacific Time Zone):
- Submit your application (see below)
- “Request a Mentor” (for New International Students)
- “Apply to be a Mentor” (for Experienced International Students)
- Watch this 9-minute training video
- Complete the short i-Guide Training Quiz
Important: Pair matching will happen after the application deadline, and the matching results will be announced to you via email by the end of May.
Apply Now
New international students can apply to be matched with an i-Guide mentor before the start of their first semester. Once you are matched with a mentor, an International Student Coordinator will provide you with contact information.
Students who request an i-Guide mentor are expected to agree to the program expectations and to participate in the program for the full semester. This means being willing to meet, or have direct contact, with your mentor at least once per week. The mentors have committed to being your partner for the semester and they are looking forward to helping you, getting to know you, and becoming your friend.
Tips for a successful partnership:
- Your mentor is here to help you become more independent and comfortable with life at Langara and in Vancouver.
- Your mentor does not know absolutely everything about Langara, Vancouver, or Canada. He or she may not be able to answer all the questions you ask, but will try to show you how to find the information you need.
- Your mentor is neither a “taxi driver” nor a “tutor”. Ask for help but remember that your mentor signed up to be your friend – not your personal assistant.
- You do not need to do everything your mentor suggests. If you are not interested or available, thank your mentor for the offer and say no or suggest another activity.
- International Student Coordinators are available to assist you if there are concerns or difficulties with your mentor. We do our best to find a suitable match between mentees and mentors, but occasionally the partnership does not work out as expected. In this case we will all work together to find a solution to the problem.
- Feel free to continue the friendship you and your mentor have developed after the one semester commitment is over.
To sign up to become an i-Guide mentee, students need to complete the mentee application form as well as the mandatory training session and quiz led by the International Student Coordinators about the i-Guide program.
Students must meet the following requirements to be an i-Guide mentor:
- A current international student, on a study permit, registered at Langara in a Regular Studies, Career, or Continuing Studies program
- Be in good academic standing and have successfully completed at least one semester at Langara
- Have an interest to learn about different cultures
- Have an ability to communicate in English with students who may not speak the same first language as you
- Make a commitment to spend some time helping a new international student adjust to Langara and Vancouver
i-Guide mentors will also agree to the program expectations of participation and abide by the program policies. To sign up to become an i-Guide mentor, students need to complete the mentor application form as well as the mandatory training session and quiz led by the International Student Coordinators about the i-Guide program.