Advising International students

1. Advising International students Syntia Santos, M.Ed. Ph.D. Student Counseling and Counselor Education sdsantos@ncsu.edu

2. How Different are We?

3. Individual Level: “All individuals are, in some respects, like no other individuals.” Group Level: “All individuals are, in some respects, like some other individuals.” Universal Level: “All individuals are, in some respects, like all other individual.” (Sue & Sue,2003)

4. International students:Cultural adaptation process

5. Cultural shock – re-entry Process Adjustment and adaptation Honeymoon Adjustment / recovery Reentry shock Preparation / anxiety Crisis / cultural shock The W-Curve of Intercultural sojourning Based on Oberg (1960)

6. Preparation Anxiety • Preparation • Curiosity • Anxiety • Expectations • Doubts • Farewells Adjustment and adaptation Honeymoon Adjustment / recovery Preparation / anxiety Crisis /cultural shock Reentry shock The W-Curve of Intercultural sojourning Based on Oberg (1960)

7. Suggestions • Preparation (visa, paper work, flights, housing, finances, registration). • Information (procedures, steps, regulations, checklists). • Clear goals. • Communication. • Self evaluation. • Open-minded attitude.

8. Arrival • Getting settled • Fascination • Curiosity • Anxiety • Confusion • Change Adjustment and adaptation Honeymoon Adjustment / recovery Preparation / anxiety Crisis /cultural shock Reentry shock The W-Curve of Intercultural sojourning Based on Oberg (1960)

9. Change • Language • Locations • Organization, regulations, procedures • Social interactions • Decision Making

10. Loss and Anxiety • Homesick • Academic challenges • Confusion • Loneliness • Anxiety • Negativity Adjustment and adaptation Honeymoon Adjustment / recovery Preparation / anxiety Crisis /cultural shock Reentry shock The W-Curve of Intercultural sojourning Based on Oberg (1960)

11. Suggestions • Social support • Understanding • Guidance • Contact with family and friends • Listening and learning • Getting to know more about the University, places, people, culture • Getting involve • Goals setting

12. Recovery • More stability • Better understanding • More energy and focus • Learning and better understanding of self and new culture • Stability – familiarity • Satisfaction and personal growth Adjustment and adaptation Honeymoon Adjustment / recovery Preparation / anxiety Crisis /cultural shock Reentry shock Adjustment and acceptance The W-Curve of Intercultural sojourning Based on Oberg (1960)

13. Finishing – re-entry • Decision making • Changes • Paper work • Anxiety • Readjustment • Re-entry • Expectations Adjustment and adaptation Honeymoon Adjustment / recovery Preparation / anxiety Crisis /cultural shock Reentry shock The W-Curve of Intercultural sojourning Based on Oberg (1960)

14. suggestions • Information • Evaluation • Goal setting • Readjustments • Decision making • Change and readiness Adjustment and adaptation Honeymoon Adjustment / recovery Preparation / anxiety Crisis /cultural shock Reentry shock The W-Curve of Intercultural sojourning Based on Oberg (1960)

15. Overall…

16. International Students Challenges • Cultural Shock • Language • Academics • Family and friends • Decision making • Organization – living arrangements • Social interactions • Future planning • Adjustment

17. Students need: • Approachability • Visibility • Contact • Information • Resources • Guidance • Encouragement • Support • Feedback • Time

18. Developing cultural competency • Self Awareness (own biases, attitudes and believes). • Knowledge (exposure to cultures, open mind, information). • Skills (active listening, respect, acceptance). (Sue & Sue,2003)

19. References • Google images. Retrieved on April 13th 2011. • http://www.google.com/imghp. • McGoldrick, M. (1998). Re-Visioning family therapy: Race, culture • and gender in clinical practice. New York: The Guilford Press. • Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2003). Counseling the culturally diverse: • Theory and practice (4th ed). New York: John Wiley & sons. • Torres Rivera, E. (2005). Multicultural Counseling Class, Lecture • Notes.

20. Thank you!