1. 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

2. A Hundred Different Paths: International Students on Diversifying Student Services

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

10. 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

11. Culture Shock

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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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!)

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

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

20. Student Panel
Gigi Madanhi Arnoldo Villanueva Jaquelyn Teo Shriram Raghu

21. 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?

22. Thank you!