Who do you go to when you have a question?
When studying as an international student for the very first time, it can feel distant and lonely. Always remember, you are not alone. In New Zealand there are a variety of friendly people and online resources to support you in the journey. In this blog let’s discuss what that support looks like?
Who do you go to when you have a question?
There will be several people in your college who can answer some of your questions, let’s see who those people are:
Your tutor or lecturer: They would be your first point of contact for the questions regarding your course and assessments.
Student mentor team: Usually colleges would have a student mentor team to answer any general questions you might have related to the study process. They can advocate on your behalf and guide you through the process of applying for extensions or special considerations.
Library and learning team: Your college’s librarian is a great connection to have. I know how much meaningful that connection for me when I was an international student. They assist you in finding resources for your assessments, APA referencing and plagiarism.
Service desk: There is your IT team who can assist you within the college to navigate the access and tech related issues. I once needed to borrow a microphone for an assignment that I was working on. Instead of buying a new one, I reached out to the IT team to see if they could let me borrow for a couple of hours, and they very kindly agreed to do that.
Educational consultant: After you have exhausted all your means and if you still feel like your issue has not been resolved, you can reach out to your educational consultant if they are on shore to see if they can point you to the right people who can help you.
Other support services available to you
Sometimes things will happen that you just didn’t expect and, at times like these, it can be useful to talk to someone. Below are some useful links:
Wellbeing Support: You can call on the national helplines which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for free.
Mental Health Support: International students often complain about homesickness, to keep you motivated and stay on track discuss with your college what counselling services they offer for a free and confidential phone and online services.
They key message is reach out when you need help. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.