International Students: How to Start?
Many international students feel uncomfortable discussing personal problems with others. However, the earlier you seek help, the more likely your problems can be resolved. The staffs at the Counseling Center are trained professionals who are knowledgeable about the issues facing international students.
You could either call 352-392-1575 or come to the Counseling Center at 301 Peabody Hall and request scheduling a 50-minute intake appointment to see a counselor. You come to the Center at the time you are scheduled. Unless it’s an emergency, you may or may not be seen right away depending on the availability of counselors. At the time of your appointment, you will be asked to complete some forms and will then meet with a counselor. The counselor will ask you questions about the problem and the background information about you to have a better understanding of you. At the end of the intake interview‚ the counselor will talk with you about what to do as well as recommending services.
The counselor assigned to you may or may not be the same person who does the intake with you. However‚ once you begin the counseling process you will always see the same person. In counseling sessions you can talk about your problem and the counselor will facilitate the process of understanding your concerns and provide alternative views on dealing with the issues or provide resources for you to resolve your problems. Sometimes one counseling session is enough for you. More often you meet until your problem is resolved. Depending on the problem‚ you may meet with the counselor once a week by yourself‚ with your partner‚ or with a small group of other students who have similar issues. Individual and couples counseling sessions are 50 minutes. The small group counseling sessions are 1½ hours.