Listserv & Membership

I'm an American student, can I still join?

Absolutely! We want our international members to feel comfortable in the United States, and the best way to ensure this to have American friends! There is no better way to learn about the customs of the United States and the hidden gems of Gainesville than through someone who has lived here. 

I signed up for the listserv, now what?

Please allow up to one week for our system to process your email. Once you receive an email confirming your addition to the listserv, congrats! You are now an official member of NaviGators International!

I never got an email confirming I got added to the listserv.

If it has been at least a week and you have not gotten an email, please contact our VP at vp.uf.navigators@gmail.com so that you can be added to the system manually.

What can I do once I'm a member?

As a member, you can come out to any of our events! Some of our events include general body meetings featuring guest speakers, local meet-ups, occasional out-of-town excursions, and sports! You are also eligible to sign-up for our optional matching program. 

Matching Program

What is the matching program?

As a member of NaviGators, you are eligible to sign-up to receive a mentor/mentee through our organization! By filling out our matching application, we will pair an American mentor with an international mentee based on similar interests. Mentors serve as guides and friends in Gainesville by helping international students become accustomed to American culture, connecting with other American and international students, and exploring UF and the surrounding areas. If you choose to participate, we ask that pairs fill out a mentor contract in order to agree on terms of the matching program.

Do I have to participate in the matching program to be a member?

No, the matching program is an optional benefit of our program and you are not required to be a part of it to be a member. 

What is the time commitment?

For general members, you get what you put into the club! The more events you come out to, the more time it takes up. We keep track of attendance at our events and members that are more active have a higher chance of receiving rewards and prizes. 

If you choose to participate in the matching program, we ask that you only sign up if you can devote time to getting to know your mentor/mentee and spending time with them. However, doing this can be fun and not a chore at all! Getting to know your match can be as easy as inviting them out for coffee, arranging study hangouts at the library, or introducing them to your friends. 

I signed up for the match program, but decided I can't do it anymore. What do I do?

If you wish to withdraw your application, you may do so by emailing our membership chair at membership.uf.navigators@gmail.com. There is a grace period from the moment you submit your application up until matches are released where you may withdraw your application without penalty. However, withdrawing your application after your match has been assigned may result in semester probation and loss of some NaviGator privileges. 

I don't like my mentor/mentee. Can I get rematched?

Keep in mind that due to the large volume of applications we receive each year, we aren't able to give everyone their first choice in preferences. We encourage you to keep an open mind! Embracing new cultures is part of the experience and you will most likely have a pleasant surprise, as most of our members do!    

However, if there are more serious concerns, such as unresponsiveness or another problem, please reach out to membership.uf.navigators@gmail.com and we will try to settle problems on a case-by-case basis.

Events and Trips

What kind of events do you do?

Our events vary each semester. Some of our past events have included Krishna Lunch, Ginnie Springs, restaurant meet-ups, and outings at Depot Park. We have also taken some out-of-town trips such as St. Augustine and Miami. Some consistent events we have are our Welcome and Farewell events, where our members come together for games, bonding, and prizes! We also hold general body meetings once a month where we invite guest speakers to come talk about different topics.

Can I bring a friend to NaviGators events?

Yes! Anyone is allowed to attend our events, whether they are local or out-of-town trips. 

Getting Involved

How can I stay connected with NaviGators?

Once you join our listserv, we highly encourage you to follow us on Instagram in order to connect with other members and learn of other happenings around campus.

I'm an American member and would like to get more involved with NaviGators. Where do I start?

If you would like to be involved with planning and coming up with new ideas for NaviGators, we encourage you to join one of our committees! Committees are open to any American member who is interested in getting to work with the NaviGators officers to put on great events. Each committee will meet once a month with the officer in charge of their committee. We release a committee sign-up form near the beginning of each semester, so be on the look-out for it! The committees are fundraising, local event planning, sports and rec, philanthropy, historian, and public relations.