International Seidman Mentorship Program

The International Mentorship Exchange offered by the Seidman Mentorship Program (SMP) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is an initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of business leaders by offering students the opportunity to engage in international mentorship and cultural exchange.

The SMP has launched an International Program!

In collaboration with UEK (University of Economics Krakow)

The International Seidman Mentorship Program (iSMP) was created to address the growing demand for leaders who can navigate and thrive in complex global markets and collaborate across cultures.Through mentorship, students gain professional networking opportunities, and firsthand knowledge of cultural nuances that influence business decisions.

The inaugural program is set to take place in partnership with Krakow University of Economics (UEK) in Poland, marking the 50-year academic relationship between GVSU and UEK. This first program includes a mentorship exchange trip to Krakow in May 2025. Five GVSU students have been selected to represent the university, West Michigan, and the United States.

To find out more about our Polish partners, visit the UEK-GVSU Mentoring Program website.

Meet Our iSMP Poland Team!

Image 1 of 10 iSMP Poland Team: Ashlyn Elford

'25-'26 iSMP Partnership: Ireland

SMP is proud to partner with Lynas Foodservice in Ireland for the '25-'26 school year. This unique initiative connects five of our top business students with Lynas employees, offering real-world business learning through mentorship, leadership development, and cultural exchange.

Program Highlights:

Virtual Mentoring (Starting October 2025): Mentors will meet virtually with students twice a month.
Immersive Ireland Visit (May 2026): Students will travel to Ireland for 10 days, including a visit to Lynas Foodservice to experience Irish business and culture firsthand.

Designed to be simple yet impactful, this program allows mentors to share their expertise and inspire the next generation of global business leaders.

Watch the following video message from Mr. Lynas to learn more!

Ireland Timeline

Interview Candidates - June & July
Applications Close - August 1
Final or Second Interviews - August
All Interviews Completed - September 1
Selection Process: September 1-14

Selection Announcement: September 15
Program Begins: October 1

Interested in applying? Find out more and apply

iSMP Ireland Interest Form

Applicant Requirements:

Applicant must be a 2nd year student or above.
Applicant must be a member of the Seidman Mentorship Program for at least 1 year.
Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Here are 3 ways to support iSMP via donations:

ONLINE

Visit this link to find our donation page and specify "International Mentorship" and the participant's name in the comments.

CHECK

Make checks payable to Grand Valley State University with "Seidman Mentorship Program – International Mentorship" in the memo line.

PHONE

Contact the SMP team at (616) 331-7500 for assistance with donations.

50 Front Avenue SW, Suite 1031
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-7500

Page last modified May 19, 2025

Report a problem with this page