Providing a supportive transition for international students

Presented by:

Gurminder Sandhu, M.S. & Dianna González, Ph.D.

UC Irvine Counseling Center

September 11, 2013

International Peer

Mentors:

Overview of Presentation

Understanding challenges and exciting aspects of working with International Students

Recognizing signs of distress

Understanding your role as a mentor

Linking mentees with campus resources

Studying in America

Learn a new language, culture, & customs

Experience a different educational system

Cognitive fatigue (information overload)

Change in social support and resources

Financial strain

Cultural Adjustment & Mental

Health

Adjusting Takes Time…

The Honeymoo

n Stage

The Hostility Stage

The Humor Stage

The Home Stage

Culture Shock can make it difficult to: Concentrate in class

Complete assignments

Feel comfortable speaking with professors, TAs, Academic Advisors

Make friends

Engage in Self-Care

Culture Shock & Academic Success

Recognizing a Difficult Transition

Feeling Sad, Hopeless, or ready to “give up”

Tearfulness

Easily Angry or Frustrated

Change in school attendance or performance

Change in Motivation

Low energy, anxiety, irritability, procrastination, dependency

Increase in Substance or Alcohol use

Problems eating

Problems sleeping

Feeling Lost

Your Role as a Peer Mentor

Normalize the Process

Introduce them to cultural norms

Show interest

Know your limits

Connect them to Campus Resources

How Can You help?

Listen

Not only to WHAT, but HOW something is said

Reflect

Let’s the person in distress know that they are being heard

Refer

You do not have to be their therapist. Refer them to the Counseling Center

Inform

You are not along. Seek help if you need it!

Discussing Cultural Differences

Understand their customs

Introduce the differences but be careful to not shame the person

Create an opportunity of learning

Be aware of what is taken for granted or unspoken in Western Culture

Know Your Limits

What does it mean to set boundaries?

How is it defined?

–Friends vs. mentor

–Flexibility

–Language

Type of communication: texting, Facebook, phone numbers, etc.

Self-Reflection

What type of student makes your nervous?

What type of student do you most enjoy working with?

What situations create anxiety?

What situations increase your frustration?

When Meeting …DO

Ask questions for clarification

Be supportive

Be available

Be aware of your own reactions

Reach out

Acknowledge their feelings

Be directive & clear

Help the student to problem solve

DON’TIgnore the situation

Encourage the behavior

Chastise or criticize the student

Be afraid of planting the idea

Minimize the situation

Leave the student alone if there is a concern for safety

Overact

Things to Recommend

Learn the language

Social Activities

A healthy diet

Good sleep habits

Regular exercise

Time for play and relaxation

Social connections

Maintain contact with family & friends from home ties

Interacting & Communicating

Helping student to learn that they can connect even if language or skills are not “perfect”

Types of activities:

Find social interactions that do not always require language

Bring own traditional game

Modeling

You are not expected to know everything

Know how to direct student to resources

Model how to find answers

Linking Students with Campus Resources

There are campus resources that can help:

International Center

Campus Housing

Resident Advisors

Campus Clubs & Organizations

Counseling Center

Student Health Center

What is Counseling?

Provides a person with the chance to talk about their concerns or worries in a safe and friendly environment

Therapists have specialty training and education to help students learn how to overcome their challenges

The information is kept private (confidential)

NO additional costs (as long as you are enrolled as a student)

Final Thoughts

Have confidence in yourself

Know your limits

Remain calm

Ask for help when you need it

Engage in self-reflection and self-care

We are Here to Help!

Contact us:

Counseling Center

203 Student Services I

(949) 824-6457

www.counseling.uci.edu