Belen, Who Is a Fresh

¶ … Belen, who is a fresh student at BC for exchange program, is a distance away from home and has not coped with life at BC and the life of being separated from those at home because of various reasons. Despite the fact that Belen's IA has tried in so many ways to assist her get out of this condition, a number of things could be improved which include considering to exclude her from group activities. The fact that she cannot speak English well also creates a language barrier thus worsening her situation and making her feel more alienated.

In this situation the IA has the responsibility of assisting Belen be more contented with her social situation at BC. The fact she shows enthusiasm when invited for group events but never shows up indicates that it is necessary for the IA to hang out with her one-on-one. Since she is always surrounded by people from her home country when attending group activities suggests that she is more comfortable with them thus the IA should find such individuals and arrange to make them meet with Belen. Generally, the IA has the responsibility of offering Belen a number of options and people to associate with whenever she wants to carry out any doings.

In this case I would take the step of inviting her so that we get a chance to talk and hang out one-on-one, this will enable her relax and become more comfortable since she will not be under much pressure facing me as an individual. I would also take a step of finding other students who have similar culture as her most probably those from her country and share a common background and bring them together. I would also consider introducing her to other IAs and the students under them where she would probably get those who share her situation thus be able to talk to her. I would also take the initiative of ensuring that she does not stay lonely for long by frequently checking on her and inviting her over for events that she may be interested in attending together with me.

At BC there are numerous social activities that take place regularly these can be very useful tools in bringing students together. Such groups as clubs and associations can be important in trying to bring her close to other students thus I would frequently encourage her to join such groups as may interest her. By joining such groups she will get a chance of meeting people with whom she shares common interest thus feel part of the wider population.

As a follow-up it would be necessary that I keep checking on her at least ones or twice a week, enquiring from her whenever she feels like hanging out and to find out her general status. In the process of visiting her, I would take the opportunity to persuade her to attend special events and to at least join a group or two, in case she hasn't. Given that she is a frequent visitor on Skype chat room, I would as well register as a user and add her as a friend thus I'll be able to chat with her more frequently and on the process get to know how she is fairing.

Part 2:

I clearly understand how it feels to move from one place to another a lot and be in a new place together with a foreign culture and unfamiliar with anyone round you. In my life I have resided in four different countries including Jakarta, Singapore, Australia and at Boston in the United States, and the cultures, customs, and languages in all these states are extremely varied thus it was mandatory that I adjust to each one of them. I strongly believe that this experience while living overseas can be relevant and significant when I apply it to the International Assistant Program. I comprehend the fact that it can be hard to move to new country particularly when you move without your family. I will be in a position to assist them find out more about our culture while I learn theirs at the same time. I can also relate to myself, who is an international student.