Abstract:
The Tufts in Hong Kong Ambassador Program is a year-long peer mentorship initiative that supports exchange students before, during, and after their time abroad. Past participants serve as ambassadors to guide new students through academic, cultural, and practical transitions.

Before departure, ambassadors share personal insights on course selection, cultural adjustment, and life in Hong Kong.

During the 10-day on-site orientation, they return to Hong Kong as peer leaders—helping plan activities, lead tours, and build community. After orientation, ambassadors continue to advise students remotely, offering ongoing academic and personal support throughout the semester.

The program fosters student leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and lasting peer networks. Many current students, inspired by their ambassadors, take on leadership roles themselves and often return as future ambassadors. This model enhances student belonging and is a scalable approach to peer-led engagement in international education.

Learning objectives:
The Tufts in Hong Kong Ambassador Program is a flexible, peer-led model that can be adapted to a variety of international exchange programs. Its three-phase structure—pre-departure mentoring, on-site orientation leadership, andsemester-long peer advising—can be tailored to different program lengths and contexts. Cost-effective and studentdriven, the model fosters continuity by connecting cohorts and building institutional memory. Ambassadors developleadership and intercultural skills, while incoming students benefit from relatable, peer-based support that boostsconfidence, promotes inclusion, and eases academic and cultural transitions.

Target audience:
This session will benefit international program directors, study abroad advisors, and staff involved in student support, peer mentorship, and orientation programming—especially those seeking scalable, student-led models to enhance engagement, leadership, and cross-cultural integration