International Students Families in the University Context An experiential journey of delivering a program Presenters: Shahana Islam and Juanita Hennessey

Origin of the Family Program Student based initiative (need for social support) Summer program Limited Funding Creative use of facilities and resources on campus Based on this initiative the ISA Office recognized the need for an ongoing organized program

Student based initiative (need for social support)

Summer program

Limited Funding

Creative use of facilities and resources on campus

Based on this initiative the ISA Office recognized the need for an ongoing organized program

Why a Family Program? International Students are looking for Global opportunities Increasing number of International Students’ families Newly arrived families are in great need for services regarding multiple issues and a variety of challenges

International Students are looking for Global opportunities

Increasing number of International Students’ families

Newly arrived families are in great need for services regarding multiple issues and

a variety of challenges

International Student Population at Memorial University Students from over 90 different countries International Students: 1070+ Graduate students: 416 Number of families: ~ 70 New families Fall 2008: 18

Students from over 90 different countries

International Students: 1070+

Graduate students: 416

Number of families: ~ 70

New families Fall 2008: 18

Purpose of the program Assist students and their families to settle into and adjust to an unfamiliar environment To open venues for students spouses and their children to interact with each other and exchange information Deliver integration assistance

Assist students and their families to settle into and adjust to an unfamiliar environment

To open venues for students spouses and their children to interact with each other and exchange information

Deliver integration assistance

Program Provides Two main objectives: Initial settlement assistance Ongoing activities and supports

Two main objectives:

Initial settlement assistance

Ongoing activities and supports

Settlement Assistance Contact the family as early as possible( if possible before arrival) Meet the student and family soon after arrival Address immediate concerns (housing, banking, food, etc.) Respond to immediate student concerns and answer inquiries

Contact the family as early as possible( if possible before arrival)

Meet the student and family soon after arrival

Address immediate concerns (housing, banking, food, etc.)

Respond to immediate student concerns and answer inquiries

Settlement Assistance Continued Inquire as to student’s area of study and research related information Inform students as to the different offices and services on campus Provide information : supports are available for the spouse and children on campus (Daycare, ISA programs, etc.) Share experience and knowledge to help ease transition (time management , asking direct questions, etc.)

Inquire as to student’s area of study and research related information

Inform students as to the different offices and services on campus

Provide information : supports are available for the spouse and children on campus (Daycare, ISA programs, etc.)

Share experience and knowledge to help ease transition (time management , asking direct questions, etc.)

The Reality : Challenges and Issues Student balances study, research and family life Student’s lack of time can make spouse feel isolated and lonely Reduction of income to run a family Difficult to find time for household chores and family time

Student balances study, research and family life

Student’s lack of time can make spouse feel isolated and lonely

Reduction of income to run a family

Difficult to find time for household chores and family time

Impact of changes: Immediate shocks: geographical change, speaking & listening only in English, missing native language, missing family and friends New climate, loneliness and isolation Unavailability of familiar foods, fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, etc.

Immediate shocks: geographical change,

speaking & listening only in English, missing native language, missing family and friends

New climate, loneliness and isolation

Unavailability of familiar foods, fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, etc.

Financial Balance Health insurance High rent (housing) and heating costs Daycare costs Transportation Expense of fresh groceries and milk products Seasonal clothing

Health insurance

High rent (housing) and heating costs

Daycare costs

Transportation

Expense of fresh groceries and milk products

Seasonal clothing

Ongoing Activities Meeting every 3 rd Sunday in a cycle Discussion, play games, share information Visiting local attractions Entertainment Sample different cultural food Guest speakers

Meeting every 3 rd Sunday in a cycle

Discussion, play games, share information

Visiting local attractions

Entertainment

Sample different cultural food

Guest speakers

Ongoing Supports Encourage to keep contact through phone and email Call and inquire as to their settlement and well-being If needed, visit hospital, visit home or schedule a time for them to come visit the Family Coordinator Respond to on-going issues

Encourage to keep contact through phone and email

Call and inquire as to their settlement and well-being

If needed, visit hospital, visit home or schedule a time for them to come visit the Family Coordinator

Respond to on-going issues

Building a bridge with the local community Assess the needs of individual families and match with appropriate resources Inform as to programs and activities available off-campus Publicize local community organizations Encourage families to use these services Invite people from various community services to provide information sessions Build a support network among the families

Assess the needs of individual families and match with appropriate resources

Inform as to programs and activities available off-campus

Publicize local community organizations

Encourage families to use these services

Invite people from various community services to provide information sessions

Build a support network among the families

Provide Integration Assistance Motivate families to participate in activities Encourage families to ask questions Share experiences, compare and analyze Identify issues that can be modified Maintain hopeful attitudes

Motivate families to participate in activities

Encourage families to ask questions

Share experiences, compare and analyze

Identify issues that can be modified

Maintain hopeful attitudes

Provide Integration Assistance Plan activities that promote positive thinking Look at what can be done at present to help accomplish future goals Inform families of possibility of future citizenship

Plan activities that promote positive thinking

Look at what can be done at present to help accomplish future goals

Inform families of possibility of future citizenship

Obstacles of program Families may live far away from the university Transportation Weather Scheduling – finding a convenient time for most Appropriate facilities – safe play areas, adult space, etc.

Families may live far away from the university

Transportation

Weather

Scheduling – finding a convenient time for most

Appropriate facilities – safe play areas, adult space, etc.

Future… Recently received considerable financial support from the provincial government through the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (Dept. of Human Resources, Labour and Employment) Reevaluation and expansion of services

Recently received considerable financial support from the provincial government through the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (Dept. of Human Resources, Labour and Employment)

Reevaluation and expansion of services

References Plett-Martins, V., & Grant, P. (2008). A needs assessment of international students’ wives. Journal of Studies in International Education, 12 (1), 56-75. Urias, D. (2005, Mar – Apr.). Empowering the disenfranchised: Supporting spouses of international students and scholars. International Educator, 42-47.

Plett-Martins, V., & Grant, P. (2008). A needs

assessment of international students’ wives.

Journal of Studies in International Education, 12 (1), 56-75.

Urias, D. (2005, Mar – Apr.). Empowering the

disenfranchised: Supporting spouses of

international students and scholars.

International Educator, 42-47.

Feedback and Discussion

Feedback and Discussion