The Language of Adjustment: Improving Communication About International Students' Life Concerns

Research shows that international students in the United States experience a higher level of stress than their U.S. counterparts, and are less likely to initiate contact with college counseling centers by their own initiative.

Trying to communicate in English as a second language can be both a source of stress for international students and an impediment to their attempting to communicate about distress they may be experiencing. Difficulties in communicating effectively may be intensified when students are at emotional crisis points or are trying to communicate regarding personal, nonacademic matters.

Development of written tools in the current project provides a means for international students to more easily identify their concerns and to facilitate staff and faculty making referrals to the college counseling center or other appropriate student services.

A parallel booklet for use by university staff/faculty helps them identify in a culturally sensitive manner the adjustment and mental health concerns of international students. An international student focus group met to review a list of adjustment problems, which was translated from English into seven other languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Based on student feedback, content of the list was revised.

Bilingual, bicultural mental health professionals were engaged to review the lists, check for accuracy of translations, make corrections, and provide translations of an introductory paragraph for the lists. The lists were compiled into brochure and booklet format to be used by university students, staff, and faculty. Feedback was solicited from professionals at several colleges/universities regarding the utility of the materials.