Services for Multicultural/International Students
The FSU University Counseling Center provides free and confidential individual and group counseling services to all enrolled students of FSU. Our diverse staff consist of individuals from various cultural backgrounds and specific academic interests in multicultural awareness, and as such are sensitive to the issues facing multicultural and international students. Counseling provides students with the opportunities to explore their concerns within the context of a respectful and confidential relationship. One of the goals of counseling is to empower students with the resources and skills needed to make positive change in their lives. The focus is on resolving the problem and finding solutions through self-discovery, awareness and goal-directed behavior.
 Our mission is to promote your university experience in a way that will enhance your life. It is not necessary be in serious distress to come to the Counseling Center. We are here to assist with all your psychological needs. Your visit with a counselor may occur only once to discuss whatever is on your mind or counseling may extend to multiple sessions for more serious difficulties.
There are many reasons why people seek counseling. For multicultural and international students, the reasons may also include one or more of the following:
- Being away from the family and familiar faces
- Adjusting to social expectations/Anglo-American customs
- Language or cultural barriers
- Communication with professors
- Cross-cultural dating
- Friendships with people of other cultures
- Feeling isolated
Translations of International Student Adjustment Concerns - a website that contains translations of adjustment and mental health concerns commonly experienced by international students in the United States.
Occasionally, there are occurrences when the student may be uncomfortable with the counselor they were assigned. If this should happen, the student should inform either the counselor or the receptionist and request another counselor. We will work to get the student assigned to a counselor that best suits her/his needs.
Information disclosed within the counseling session is confidential. No information will be released to university officials, faculty members, parents or outside agencies without the written authorization of the student. Please see our page devoted to confidentiality or call us for more information on this important issue.
Some multicultural or international students may be hesitant to come to counseling for several reasons. They may be concerned that their problem won't be understood by a counselor or that their problem is not serious enough to merit a counselor's time. They may feel uneasy about the language or cultural barrier, or uncomfortable sharing personal information with a person outside their family.
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