There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading in the same direction, so it doesn’t matter which path you take. The only one wasting time is the one who runs around and around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her path is wrong - Hindu Proverb

A Hundred Different Paths: International Students on Diversifying Student Services

Who are we? Presenter: Jason MacFarlane – International Student Transition Advisor International Student Advisor’s Office, University of New Brunswick Room 111, CC Jones Student Services Building Panelists: Chidochashe (Gigi) Madanhi – BBA, Yr3 Arnoldo Villanueva – MSE.ME Jaquelyn Teo - BCSSC.BIOL, Yr3 Shriram Raghu - MSE.EE

What ISAO does… Serve approximately 1,200 graduate and undergraduate international students who come to study at UNB from 109 different countries. A full-time staff of three whose roles are to advise international students throughout their degree program. Facilitate and support academic and personal success, cultural adjustment and community engagement, through support services, such as: Pre-arrival engagement and Fall / Winter Orientation Information on Immigration and Canadian policy Personal and cultural advising; international student advocacy Frequent (and inclusive) social events, programs and workshops

Stand up if… You, your parents/grandparents came from another country You have worked or studied in a country outside of Canada You speak more than one language You speak with an accent You are the same and yet different from others here today

Iceberg Model of Culture Language Accent Musical taste Sense of time Beliefs / values Dress Concept of Power

Iceberg Model of Culture Music Art  Dress Greetings  Food and Drink Attitudes  Values  Beliefs  Perceptions  Personal space Respect  Power  Status Sense of Time  Community Competitiveness  Ideas on Fairness Concept of Beauty  Emotion

Culture Shock

International Student Issues Homesickness Loneliness Academic confusion / crisis Health / Food / Health Care issues Crisis in home country / family Financial Stress Communication issues

What Can Student Services Do? Increase positive interactions through: Being attentive to our words Not taking negative interactions personally Avoiding assumptions Always doing our best

Being attentive to our words Speak clearly (and listen well) Limit the use of acronyms Learn to say student names Avoid the “Feedback Sandwich”

Not taking it personally Consider students’ culturally influenced notions of power or time Students may not wish to know “how things are done” Investigate “rude behavior” such as frustration, inappropriate responses, awkward laughter or conflicting speech patterns

Avoiding assumptions Awkward or inappropriate behavior often means frustration with self or a sign of misunderstanding Avoid: “Do you understand?” Try: “Repeat that back to me please.” Don’t assume that students are fluent in English because they speak some English, or, if they have an accent, they don’t speak English

Always doing our best Always be as clear as possible in your message Identify and question own learned assumptions, generalizations and biases Try to be empathetic and understanding – though no one deserves to be treated with disrespect Well-intentioned cultural mistakes are often met with gratitude over effort (so be curious!)

Most importantly… Make your office or workspace inclusive and be an ambassador for your institution!

Learn more… The Four Agreements By Don Miguel Ruiz The Appreciative Advising Revolution By Jennifer Bloom, Bryant L. Hutson and Ye He

Student Panel Gigi Madanhi Arnoldo Villanueva Jaquelyn Teo Shriram Raghu

Q & A What conversation starters do you respond to well? What are some barriers you’ve faced as an international student? What conversation starters do you respond to well? Do you mind being corrected? What advice would you give someone involved in the well-being of international students? What are some communication cues (like body language) that cause misunderstandings? Tell me about a time when you received great service or help at UNB… What advice do you have for other international students?

Thank you!