International Academic Advising Model
NACADA Annual Conference 2017
Scenario 1
Student A is in the United States for the first time. Their roommate is a domestic student. They have Advanced Placement credit for Calculus, but have difficulty following their math instructor. They report spending a majority of time on their math course and claim to be failing the others. They have trouble sleeping and don't like American food.
- What issues stand out?
- What additional information do you need to help this student?
- What campus partners would you use as referrals?
- Identify the possible issues that arise from this situation.
Scenario 2
A first-year transfer international business student comes to you for advice in scheduling their coursework. Though in good academic standing overall, the student has been performing below academic expectations in courses for their major. The student sits quietly, attentively listening to you explain the importance of major coursework. When you ask about their performance, the student laughs and explains that they really want to study music, but their parents want the student to study economics to help with the family business.
- What issues stand out?
- What additional information do you need to help this student?
- What campus partners would you use as referrals?
- Identify the possible issues that arise from this situation.
Scenario 3
You are meeting with a first-year international student who has had a significant downward trend in their academic performance over the last semester. In expressing your concern to the student, they disclose that they came out to their family who are “unhappy” about this. Additionally, the student explains that they know about campus resources but is concerned about using them for fear of “how it would look” to others.
- What issues stand out?
- What additional information do you need to help this student?
- What campus partners would you use as referrals?
- Identify the possible issues that arise from this situation.
Scenario 4
A first-year international student comes to your office at the end of the Fall term, their first term, concerned about being dismissed for academic reasons. The student has been academically struggling and, after some discussion, divulges that a family member passed away in their home country early in the term and that they could not go home for the funeral. The student indicates that they are doing fine and this “should not” affect their studies.
- What issues stand out?
- What additional information do you need to help this student?
- What campus partners would you use as referrals?
- Identify the possible issues that arise from this situation.