mentHERship

Switzerland × Kazakhstan

Opening doors, one conversation at a time.

mentHERship pairs female university students in Kazakhstan with experienced women mentors from Switzerland, from PhD researchers to professionals, for a year of guidance on studies, careers and confidence.

I'm a student I want to mentor

Developed within the Best Talents Programme at

HSG Talents University of St. Gallen

Why mentHERship

Talent is everywhere. Access isn't.

Women in Kazakhstan are graduating in strong numbers, yet far fewer reach senior roles in research, technology and business. A big part of the gap is not ability, but access: to role models, to networks and to someone who has walked the path before.

mentHERship is a volunteer initiative developed within the Best Talents Programme. We connect ambitious students with women in Switzerland who share their experience, open their networks and help mentees make confident decisions about their future.

1:1personal mentoring pairs
1–2sessions per month, about 1h each
100%online & free of charge
Almaty with the Tian Shan mountains
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Zurich old town on the Limmat river
Zürich, Switzerland

For mentees

You are a student in Kazakhstan

What you get

  • A personal female mentor with a PhD or professional experience in Switzerland
  • Advice on study choices, research, internships and first jobs
  • Support with CVs, applications and interviews, including for studies abroad
  • Insight into international work culture and new networks
  • A safe space to talk about goals, doubts and confidence

Who can apply

  • Female students enrolled at a university in Kazakhstan (Bachelor or Master)
  • Any field of study: STEM, business, social sciences, humanities…
  • Conversational English (sessions are held in English)
  • Motivation to commit to regular meetings for the programme duration
Apply as a mentee

For mentors

You bring experience from Switzerland

What we're looking for

  • Women who are PhD candidates, postdocs or professionals (Master's degree or above)
  • Based in Switzerland or with strong ties to the Swiss academic or business world
  • 1 or 2 sessions per month (about 1 hour each), fully online, for the programme duration
  • Open-minded, curious about other cultures, happy to share honestly

What you get

  • Real impact on a young woman's career path
  • Experience in leadership and intercultural coaching
  • Insights into Central Asia and a growing international network
  • A short onboarding and a community of fellow mentors
Apply as a mentor

How it works

From application to partnership

  1. 01

    Apply

    Fill in the short online form as a mentee or as a mentor.

  2. 02

    Match

    We pair you based on field, goals and interests, then introduce you to each other.

  3. 03

    Kick-off

    A joint online kick-off with tips on how to get the most out of mentoring.

  4. 04

    Meet

    One-to-one video calls, 1 or 2 times a month, at times that suit you both.

  5. 05

    Reflect

    A closing event to share what you've learned and stay connected.

Talks & events

Voices that inspire

Beyond one-to-one mentoring, we host online events with inspiring personalities from politics, research and business, open to all mentees and mentors.

A woman speaking to an audience
Impulse talks

Career stories

Leaders share their path: the turning points, setbacks and decisions that shaped their careers.

A speaker presenting in front of a group
Panels & Q&A

Ask the experts

Conversations on topics like research careers, entrepreneurship, policy and leading as a woman.

A woman smiling during a video call
Community

Online meet-ups

Relaxed networking sessions to meet other mentees and mentors across both countries.

Upcoming events

The first speakers and dates will be announced here soon.

Join the programme

FAQ

Good questions

Does it cost anything?

No. mentHERship is free for mentees and mentors. Everyone involved volunteers their time.

How long does the programme run?

The first cohort is planned for one academic year. Exact dates will be announced together with the application deadline.

Which universities can participate?

We are starting with female students in Kazakhstan and may focus the first cohort on a partner university. Apply anyway and we will let you know if your university is included.

What language are sessions held in?

English. You don't need perfect English. Being able to hold a conversation is enough.

How are mentors and mentees matched?

We look at field of study or work, career interests, goals and availability, and propose the pairing we think fits best.

What happens to my data?

Your application is only used to organise the programme and match participants. It is not shared with third parties and is deleted after the programme ends unless you agree otherwise.

Apply

Ready to join?

Applications take about 10 minutes.

For students in Kazakhstan Apply as a mentee → For researchers & professionals in Switzerland Apply as a mentor →