Program Overview

Introduction to the International Assistants Program

The International Assistants Program at Boston College is a flagship program established in 1980 to cater to the needs of a growing international undergraduate student body.

Program Overview

The program matches each incoming international first-year student and transfer student with an upper-class student mentor, known as an International Assistant, for their first semester. The primary objective of the IA Program is to facilitate the adjustment of new international students to life at Boston College, the City of Boston, and American life in general, with a particular focus on the crucial first months on-campus.

Program Details

• The program is designed to support international students during their initial semester.
  • This support is provided by upper-class student mentors who have experience navigating the challenges of university life in the United States.
• The IA Program aims to ease the transition into American academic and social environments, ensuring a smoother adjustment period for international students.

Program Establishment

The International Assistants Program was established in response to the growing number of international undergraduate students at Boston College, highlighting the institution's commitment to providing comprehensive support to its diverse student body.