July 29, 2008 - 8:27am
Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) award-winning International Student Peer Helper Program has been garnering international attention. VIU was recently asked to present as a Regional Highlight at NAFSA: Association of International Educators’ 60th Annual Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C. The conference, which focuses on international education and leadership, was attended by more than 9,000 delegates from over 100 countries.
“It’s a real honour,” said International Student Activity Planner, Jennifer Jensen-Richards, who coordinates the program. “You cannot apply to present as a regional highlight, you must be selected by the NAFSA committee.” NAFSA representatives were impressed by a VIU presentation at an earlier conference, which resulted in the invite.
VIU’s Peer Helper program trains interested international students who have completed more than two semesters at VIU to assist new international students with their orientation, and help them get settled into campus life. According to Jensen-Richards, the benefits of the program are tremendous for new students and peer helpers alike. She said many international students are very shy and have low English levels when they first arrive. The peer helpers provide helpful information and support for new students during their transition.
“The program is really good for student retention,” Jensen-Richards said. “It helps students feel welcome, helps them adjust and form friendships. It gives them the tools to get started in campus life and to get involved in activities. It helps them feel included.”
Lisha Yu is a fourth-year marketing student who has been in Canada for six years. Now a student leader, Yu says the program was a big help when she first came to VIU.
“I’m from China and coming to Canada is a long way from home. Peer helpers can help because they’ve experienced being new themselves so they know what new students need.”
Upon arrival, new students come for an orientation organized by the peer helpers. The session covers campus locations, services, transit use and a safety component.
“In each different country we have different safety zones, so we act out when to say no and when to walk away,” said Yu. “Usually when they first come here students don’t have perfect English, so by acting it out we give them a better understanding.”
Yu points out that without this service, new students could be quite isolated. “We have no clue about transportation or cell phones when we first come,” she said. “If no one helps us, we can’t even contact our parents.”
Peer helpers also give emotional support to their new peers. “I tell them it’s ok if you are homesick at the beginning - that’s normal,” said Yu, who gives new students her contact information in case they have any questions. “We just help them in as many ways as we can.”
While the new students benefit from the support, the peer helpers also gain a lot from the program. “They really feel proud that they can help someone in another country,” said Jensen-Richards. “They gain a sense of leadership and confidence.”
The peer helping experience may also help students break into the job market. “I hire my students,” said Jensen-Richards. “Students get a lot of contact and interaction with campus staff and the community. Campus jobs can lead to jobs in the community or elsewhere.”
Jensen-Richards said that the program has taught her a lot as well. “I’ve learned so much about students and where they come from,” she said. “It’s an amazing job – I love watching them grow. I’m so proud of all of them.”
Tags: In the Community
