1. A Glimpse into the world of Foreign Students

2. Introduction of Speaker
Smitha Day’s expertise comes from two realms: her personal experience and her educational credentials. Having lived the life of a Third Country Kid/Global Nomad on three continents, she has great empathy and compassion for those struggling to make sense of an increasingly globalized world. Her studies and thesis in the area of Foreign Student Adjustment give her a clinical understanding of what actually happens and what needs to happen to provide foreign students with a beneficial and productive cross-cultural experience. It is exciting to bring clinical insights to progressive, educational institutions aiming to embrace a global community.

3. Methodology surveyed a portion of the students via surveymonkey.com
Conducted both qualitative measure as well as quantitative. (interview and questionnaire)
42 students picked up the questionnaire from the international student offices.
8 out of 50 students were interviewed in person.

4. AGENDA
INTRODUCTION OF PARTICIPANTS
GAME/DISCUSSION
SESSION
Q & A

5. Why this study/What it addresses
To bring to attention the need for psychological support and understanding for this population.
They are at a higher risk for psychological problems than the students of the host country.
What Universities can do to meet the emotional needs of their foreign students.
Faculty and Staff will gain insight into how they can help their foreign students cope.
Demonstrate to University staff how powerful it is to have knowledge of general cultural differences/adjustment challenges to aid in the foreign students adaptation to their host country/school.
Counseling Centers can gain insight into how they can best assist the students in this process.

6. Message 1: Common Adjustment Stressors
communication
socialization
Loss of support
Loneliness depression sadness
indecision
finances
Culture shock

7. MESSAGE: 2
Counseling Centers are highly under utilized by foreign students.
Why this is
What are their beliefs/risks/acceptable medical intervention
Perception of Counseling from students view and Perception of Counseling for the Western Therapy: how the two differ.

8. Message 3 Alternatives to Counseling
User friendly programs that will meet their needs
Methods to bridge the gap between the students and the counseling center.
Demonstrating benefits for understanding Foreign student adjustment.

9. WHY FOREIGN STUDENT’S POSTIVE ADJUSTMENT IS IMPORTANT
STUDENTS ARE SUFFERING SILENTLY
GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS
ECONOMIC REASONS
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
E.G. AMERICAN COMPANIES ABROAD

10. COME HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT YOUR STUDENTS ARE FEELING
“It's not easy being in a foreign country alone and not even having any relatives living here either. Also, not being able to communicate with home frequently makes you kind of loose the closeness you had with your family. Even if I am homesick I don't tell anyone at home, since I don't want them to worry about me. So I always say that I am doing fine, when in reality I am actually dying inside to go back to my own country.”