Resources for Students: Multicultural/International Concerns
- I am an international student. Do you have services for me ?
- Do multicultural or international students really seek counseling services?
- Do international students typically present with the same concerns as do students from the United States?
- What is culture shock and how can I cope through it?
1. I am an international student. Do you have services for me?
Yes. The Counseling Center provides free and confidential individual and group counseling services to all enrolled students of UTK. Our staff members are sensitive to the issues facing multicultural and international students. Counseling provides students with the opportunities to explore their concerns within the context of a respectful and confidential relationship.
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2. Do multicultural or international students really seek counseling services?
Yes. Some multicultural or international students may be hesitant to come to counseling for several reasons. They may be concerned that their problem won't be understood by a counselor or that their problem is not serious enough to merit a counselor's time. They may feel uneasy about the language or cultural barrier, or uncomfortable sharing personal information with a person outside their family. We understand that this can be difficult.
Our mission is to promote your university experience in a way that will enhance your life. It is not necessary be in serious distress to come to the Counseling Center. We are here to assist with all your psychological needs. Your visit with a counselor may occur only once to discuss whatever is on your mind or counseling may extend to multiple sessions for more serious difficulties.
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3. Do international students typically present with the same concerns as do students from the United States?
There are many reasons why people seek counseling. For multicultural and international students, the reasons may also include one or more of the following:
- Being away from the family and familiar faces
- Adjusting to social expectations/Anglo-American customs
- Language or cultural barriers
- Communication with professors
- Cross-cultural dating
- Friendships with people of other cultures
- Feeling isolated
Research data indicate that international students in the United States experience a significant amount of stress as they pursue their education. They face most of the same stressors as their American counterparts with additional challenges of living in a foreign country and speaking English as a second language.
In a research study conducted by the University of Arkansas, International students identified some concerns that seemed specifically relevant to the international students' experience. They included:
- Adjustment to the United States
- Communicating with professors/authorities
- English language ability
- Getting or using transportation
- Re-entry to home country
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4. What is culture shock and how can I cope through it?
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has an excellent document describing the symptoms of cultural shock and providing suggestions for ways to cope through it. Click here to read this document. Another excellent resource for International Students adjusting to a new culture is Kansas State University's site Crossing Cultures: Adjusting to Your New Community.
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