The Global Perspectives, a collaborative model of programming designed and implemented by the YSU Counseling Program in collaboration with the Office of Housing & Residence Life, Reading & Study Skills Center and the Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP), was developed at YSU. Graduate counseling students were invited to become a group leader or co-leader to facilitate a psycho-educational group for international students once a week throughout Spring 2013 (pilot program). The group leaders introduced the assigned weekly topics, but had the flexibility to facilitate the discussions to meet the needs of the group members. The program was announced to international students though resident hall assistants and international peer advisors at CISP. Needs assessment was given to assess the needs of international students prior to the groups, as well as a evaluation survey was given to assess the overall experiences of both the international students and group leaders/co-leaders at the end of the program.
Global Perspectives 2013-14
In recognition of and in response to the changing student demographics that YSU counseling students serve at the college-level and in the community, YSU Counseling Program has a continued focus on developing multicultural competency among Master's students. The objectives of the Global Perspectives (GP) are to:
- Help Counseling Master's students understand the needs of college students from various cultural backgrounds.
- Provide an opportunity for Counseling Master's students to develop multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills.
- Offer an experiential learning opportunity in which Counseling Master's students apply Group Counseling skills and techniques.
- Assist international students to make a smooth cultural social adjustment to the U.S. campus.
- Support international students with useful resources in the community.
Activities
- Created closed group Facebook pages, Global Perspectives to provide on-going supervision for the group leaders and facilitate peer consultation among group leaders.
- Conducted a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach through interviewing group leaders about their experiences and multicultural development in Spring 2013.
- Conducted 11 group sessions and 4 academic workshops, as well as group leader orientation and face-to-face group supervision sessions throughout Fall 2013.
Global Perspectives 2014-15
YSU Counseling Program has a continued focus on developing multicultural competency among Master's students and supporting YSU international students. The objectives of the Global Perspectives (GP) are to:
- Help Counseling Master's students understand the needs of college students from various cultural backgrounds.
- Collabroate with various student affairs professionals and services (the Reading and Study Skills Center, the Office of Assessment, the English Language Institute, Department of Campus Recreation, and the Office of Career Services).
- Assist international students with helpful resources (job searches, multicultural diet, social relationships, U.S. academic culture).
See more information 2013-2014: Global Perspectives: Weekly Group Meeting & Workshop Schedule(DOCX)
See more information 2014-2015: Global Perspectives 2014-2015(pdf)
