Community Advisors
The Community Advisors program offers a friendly and personal way for internationals to begin their Stanford experience. Community Advisors (volunteers) welcome incoming international graduate students, postdocs and visiting scholars, and assist them in getting oriented in the area.
Internationals:
How to participate
Community Advisors will be available for about one hour after most “Maintaining Legal Status” sessions.
Bring a pen or pencil and questions or come by to say hello and have a cookie and glass of juice.
We look forward to meeting with you and answering any questions you may have.
All incoming international graduate students, postdocs and visiting scholars are required to attend one of the “Maintaining Legal Status” sessions held in the Assembly Room at the Bechtel International Center.
Following the September 3 – 16 sessions, internationals are encouraged to come into the Conference Room to meet one of the “Community Advisors” and get information about:
- Life in the Stanford Community
- Pick up a free 30-day cell phone “sim” card
- Where to open a bank account with credit card
- Make an appointment with the Loan Closet to pick up kitchen items for your apartment
- Learn about the International Spouse Coffee Wednesday mornings
- Practice English through the English in Action (EIA) program
- And other programs inside and outside the Stanford community
You will also learn how to deal with questions like:
- Do we drink the tap water?
- Where are places to buy a bicycle?
- How do I get a California drivers license?
Volunteers:
Community Advisors provide useful information on everything from the Bechtel International Center’s “Orientation” activities, to scheduling a “Loan Closet” appointment, finding a bicycle, getting a driver’s license, getting your child registered for school, to shopping advice.
Community Advisors sessions will take place in the Conference Room immediately following the 15 sessions of the the “Maintaining Your Legal Status” classes in the Assembly Room, scheduled weekdays from September 3 through 16:
| Date | Maintaining Your Legal Status | Community Advisors |
| Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 | 11:30 am-12:30 pm | 12:30 pm-1:30 pm |
| Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 | 2:30 pm-3:30 pm | 3:30 pm-4:30 pm |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 | 9:30 am-10:30 am | 10:30 am-11:30 am |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 | 1:00 pm-2:00 pm | 2:00 pm-3:00 pm |
| Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 | 9:30 am-10:30 am | 10:30 am-11:30 am |
| Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 | 1:00 pm-2:00 pm | 2:00 pm-3:00 pm |
| Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 | 9:30 am-10:30 am | 10:30 am-11:30 am |
| Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 | 3:00 pm-4:00 pm | 4:00 pm-5:00 pm |
| Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 | 9:30 am-10:30 am | 10:30 am-11:30 am |
| Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 | 3:00 pm-4:00 pm | 4:00 pm-5:00 pm |
| Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 | 9:30 am-10:30 am | 10:30 am-11:30 am |
| Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 | 3:00 pm-4:00 pm | 4:00 pm-5:00 pm |
| Tuesday, Sept 15, 2026 | 3:00 pm-4:00 pm | 4:00 pm-5:00 pm |
| Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 | 9:30 am-10:30 am | 10:30 am-11:30 am |
| Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 | 2:30 pm-3:30 pm | 3:30 pm-4:30 pm |
How to participate
New Community Advisors volunteers will be trained on the job by Bob Spears.
Please volunteer for as many of the CA sessions as you feel comfortable working.
Please address questions to the Community Advisors Chair.