INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CHALLENGES: RESPONDING TO THEIR EVOLVING NEEDS

CBIE MontrealNovember 5, 2012

Rose Aquino, Advisor & CoordinatorInternational & Exchange Student Centre

Western University

Maggie Liang, International Education & Immigration AdvisorUniversity of Waterloo

Darlene Ryan, Manager, International Experience, Advising & Support

University of Waterloo

AGENDA

• Welcome & Introduction • Case Scenarios• Triad discussions• Debriefing• Outcome

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Case Studies

Form groups of three and discuss the following:

1. What are the issues and considerations in this case? (Think about what the student might be experiencing).

2. Who/What are your resources?

3. How would you approach the situation?

3

“Going to Court”

I am an international student who is charged with assault. I spoke with a counsellor and she referred me to you. My court date is in a few weeks and I need legal advice. I went to the court house and was told that if I want to use the free service of a duty counsel lawyer, I have to plead guilty and I can only meet with the lawyer on the morning of my court date. There are also restrictions to what the lawyer can do for me. I am afraid of what will happen to me if I am convicted.

4

“Going to Court”

Debriefing

Issues/ConsiderationsResources

Approaches

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Issues and considerations“Going to Court”

• Legal • Language • Culture • Confidentiality• Well-being (emotional, mental, academic)• Immigration

6

Approach & Outcome“Going to Court”

• Listened, gathered more information, provided support

• Consulted legal resources– Legal Aid Ontario– Legal Aid Clinic on campus– Secretariat - referral to lawyer

• Court decision

7

“Verbal Abuse” I am of Indian descent and I have been verbally abused from two other

Indian students in residence since May. They intimidate me, call me names, and swear at me in an Indian language that I do not understand. I tried speaking with them to ask why they are behaving this way but they would not listen and continued to torment me. I spoke to my residence don and he told me I should try and talk to them so I tried again and was met with the same reaction. I then went the housing office to ask for help and they said the same thing as my residence don; I should try to talk to them. The housing officials also said that because the abuse was inflicted in a language that was not English, there was no way of verifying my claim. I was so frustrated I moved out of residence after one term, even though I knew I would forfeit my housing deposit. Moving off campus has only slightly improved this situation. I am still being verbally abused and do not know who to go to for help or how I can prove that this abuse is going on.

.

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“Verbal Abuse” Debriefing

Issues/ConsiderationsResources

Approaches

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Issues and considerations“Verbal Abuse”

• Legal– Harassment

• Emotional• Cultural

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Approach and Outcome “Verbal Abuse”

• After the fact – listened to his story• Immigration• What we could have done– Housing– Police– Conflict Management & Human Rights Office

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George, an international graduate student, sees you about possible financial aid from the university because he has to do an additional term. George seems very anxious and cautious in his responses. You learn that the reason for the delay in thesis progression was something out of his control – it was due to a mistake made by his supervisor. He becomes highly emotional and shares that it has been so difficult to deal with his situation alone and to have this delay in program completion. He tells you that he is a very conscientious and high achieving student. George explains that he feels he cannot take any action due to fear of supervisor and possible further negative consequences. You learn that to keep expenses to a minimum, George hasn’t been eating regularly. He says that he has not been in good health recently and he doesn’t want any further troubles. George just wants to finish quietly and go home.

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“Can’t say anything”

Issues and considerations“Can’t say anything”

• Graduate studies - academics, research, progression• Supervisor-graduate student relationship• Confidentiality• Funding, financial• Isolation• Well-being (e.g., physical, emotional, mental, academic)• Cultural norms

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Approach and Outcome “Can’t say anything”

• Listened/Gathered more information• Provided support and information• Referrals to:

- Learning Skills Services- Ombudsperson- Counselling Services

• Applied for bursary• Cultural bridging and coaching• Talked about health issues and self-care

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Thank You!Please complete the evaluation form.

raquino@uwo.camaggie.liang@uwaterloo.ca

darlene@uwaterloo.ca