- 1. International Students Families in the University Context An
experiential journey of delivering a program Presenters: Shahana
Islam and Juanita Hennessey
2. Origin of the Family Program
- Student based initiative (need for social support)
- Creative use of facilities and resources on campus
- Based on this initiative the ISA Office recognized the need for
an ongoing organized program
3. 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
4. International Student Population at Memorial University
- Students from over 90 different countries
- International Students: 1070+
- New families Fall 2008: 18
5. 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
6. Program Provides
- Initial settlement assistance
- Ongoing activities and supports
7. 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
8. Settlement Assistance Continued
- Inquire as to students 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.)
9. The Reality : Challenges and Issues
- Student balances study, research and family life
- Students 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
10. 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.
11. Financial Balance
- High rent (housing) and heating costs
- Expense of fresh groceries and milk products
12. Ongoing Activities
- Meeting every 3 rdSunday in a cycle
- Discussion, play games, share information
- Visiting local attractions
- Sample different cultural food
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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
17. Obstacles of program
- Families may live far away from the university
- Scheduling finding a convenient time for most
- Appropriate facilities safe play areas, adult space, etc.
18. 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
19. 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.
20.
21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.