Texas Tech Global Guides

Global Guides are current TTU students who volunteer their time to MENTOR new incoming international students.

All new international students will be assigned to a Global Guide who will help you as you adjust to life at Texas Tech and in Lubbock. Because Global Guides have already experienced the ups and downs of living and studying abroad, they are a great first hand resource to students. Global Guides act as peer mentors who volunteer their time to communicate with you and help you ease into life in a new country. Global Guides are available to chat with you at any time, and you are encouraged to reach out to them if you have a question about life on campus.

Congratulations to the new Global Guide Team for 2025-2026!

Applications will re-open in the Spring of 2026

Who Gets a Global Guide?

Raider Roundup Global Guides At the beginning of each semester, new or newly transferred international students are assigned a Global Guide. Your Global Guide is assigned to you based on one or more variables. This could be your major, country, or native language. We do our best to pair you with a Global Guide who has something in common with you, but sometimes this is not always the case. No matter what, your global Guide is here to help you adjust to Texas Tech and life in the United States. They were all once in your shoes, too, and that is why they have volunteered to be part of this program.

Global Guides are screened and interviewed before they are chosen. We then chose Global Guides from all of those interviewed. We pick students we feel are the most passionate about helping others and who are actively engaged on campus.

When will I hear from my Global Guide?

You will begin to receive emails from your Global Guides TTU email before the start of the semester. Watch for an email from your Global Guide with helpful information about life on campus. You will also be invited to meet them in person, hang out, study, and get to know them once you arrive.

You will already have a friend before you get to the USA!

Please note that emails from your Global Guide will come from their personal TTU emails, not an International Affairs email.

This Years Team Intro Videos

Watch each Global Guides Short intro Video on our YouTube Channel!

Informational Videos

How to Become a Global Guide

The International Global Guides program connects current Texas Tech University Students with prospective students to promote, share, and support their efforts to attend the university. Global Guides will also provide assistance with student life and retention activities through the Office of International Student Life.

We are looking for a diverse group of students, both undergraduates and graduates from across campus, to represent the whole of the international student population at Texas Tech.

What the Role Looks Like:

The following are expected from all Global Guides:

Reach out to, teach, befriend, and mentor an assigned group of new international students (your "Cohort") before and after they arrive at Texas Tech, and potentially be the reason a student chooses TTU
Attend International Student Orientation, supporting students as a friend, peer, and mentor, and serving on an international student panel
Communicate with potential new students ahead of arrival, alerting them to what they need to know before they arrive, sharing your Texas Tech experience, and helping them with the immediate transition process once they arrive on campus
Attend ISL events and functions, encouraging other new students to do so, and occasionally helping with the setup of such events
Help recruit new potential international students through social media channels in partnership with OIA's International Undergraduate Admissions team.
Host hangout events on your own. This means organizing fun activities such as attending student org or on-campus events, study sessions, attending off-campus events, and any non-related ISL events with your cohort.
Help monitor student WhatsApp groups by answering student questions and marketing events related to International student life and needs.

MANDATORY EVENTS: Global Guides must attend all mandatory events. If you have concerns about missing any of the following events, please contact us,

Orientatoin for both undergrads and graduate students ( start of the Fall & Spring semester)
Welcome Events (once each semester)
One Monthly meeting during the Fall & Spring semester
Attend the Global Guide retreat (May 20-22, 2025)

Benefits of the Global Guide Program

Gain an in-depth knowledge of TTU resources, history, & traditions.
Develop leadership, interpersonal communication, and social skills.
Build significant relationships with fellow Global Guides, new international students, and TTU OIA staff.
Meals during most ISO and other OIA events.
End-of-the-year party
End-of-semester stipend, if you complete all responsibilities.
Special Graduation slide at ISL Graduation Celebration (semester you graduate).
Global Guide Alumni Group
End of year thank you celebration (Spring)
Graduation Party for Global Guides (Spring)

Expectations

Participation in the program for at least a full academic year is expected
Must attend all training sessions
Serve as a mentor for assigned incoming student groups
Serve as a knowledgeable and friendly representative of TTU and the Office of International Affairs (OIA)
Attend monthly meetings (required)
Global Guides are REQUIRED to attend ISO (International Student Orientation) and must be back on campus to attend this orientation and training at the beginning of August.
Global Guides are REQUIRED to attend the Global Guide Retreat in Palo Duro Canyon at the end of May 20-22nd 2025.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, all Global Guide candidates must:

Maintain a minimum 3.0 TTU GPA during participation in the program
International applicants must be on an F1 Visa.
Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with Texas Tech University

For Undergraduates:

- have been at Texas Tech for one full academic year and be a sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate student by the upcoming Fall semester (2026)
- If you are an Undergraduate who transferred from another college/university, then you only need to have been a TTU for one semester.

For graduate students

Must have attended Texas Tech for at least one semester ahead of your Global Guide year. ( for example, you must have started in Fall '24 to be eligible to be a GG for 25-26)
Must have spent at least one full academic year at the Texas Tech Lubbock campus before the start of Global Guide obligations.
Positive attitude and strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
One recommendation letter from a TTU faculty or staff member

Returning Global Guides

If you have previously been a global guide and are returning:

Maintain a minimum 3.0 TTU GPA during participation in the program
Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with Texas Tech University
You are not required to have a letter of recommendation
Students can only serve two terms as a global guide.
Positive attitude and strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
Shown in the past year that you have put in a good effort in your global guide role to fulfill the requirements you are expected to uphold.
MUST Attend Orientations and training at the beginning of August

Global Guide Info Session Video. Click and Learn!

The GG Retreat

We are so excited to announce the Global Guide Retreat Days for 2025. All GG's selected for the 2025-2026 Program are required to attend the Retreat. This is an opportunity to build skills, practice team building, and increase your knowledge of your role all while having fun and enjoying the beautiful Palo Duro Canyon.

Retreat Days will be May 20th - 23rd

GG Retreat