Counseling International Students

The tendency to either overemphasize or underemphasize differences when counseling international students is documented in research literature. However, there has been little systematic research and still fewer comprehensive theories about counseling international students. The numerous theories available tend to either emphasize the importance of changing the student or person in an adjustment mode, or changing the situation in a more behaviorist mode. Critical incidents collected while counseling international students at the University of Minnesota demonstrate the typical problems encountered and suggest approaches to manage those problems. The critical incidents and responses suggest that informal methods and informal counseling contexts become especially important in counseling international students. Other practical suggestions and tools are discussed to aid those who provide counseling to international students. A list of topics for future research is also presented.