
Elisabeth Hinshaw-Osgood
Educator
Retired
Retired
Educator
I was a Peace Corps Volunteer, an International Student Advisor, English Teacher, and Director of Study Abroad.
As an international student advisor, I did a variety of things on a daily basis. My tasks included: reviewing admission applications, organizing orientations, preparing a newsletter, helping students through issues they may be facing with their student visa, etc. However, as a Student Advisor Director, I worked with the faculty to plan programs, oversaw the budget, etc. As a Peace Corp Volunteer, I planned lessons and taught English as a foreign language.
Here's the first step for college students
I recommend that a first step to break into a career working with international students is learning a foreign language and connecting with different people on campus. I suggest that by meeting and getting involved on campus helps you learn more about different cultures and lifestyles. I also suggest that learning a foreign language is important because it enables you to read about other cultures. I suggest that when learning a language to watch movies with subtitles to understand more.
"I faced discouragement when planning lessons while I was an English teacher as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I am very detail-oriented so I struggle with making sure that everything I want to include in my lesson plans are there."
My major, being French, helped me greatly when working at Central African Republic because the national language there is French. When working as a Peace Corp Volunteer, it made it easier for me to adapt to live there.
I have always loved meeting and talking with people about their cultures. I have loved working with students. I always knew I would stay involved in International Student groups through interviewing students wanting to study abroad or hosting family.
My advice would be that your professors are struggling to give you the material online. Your professors had to learn to adjust to a different format in order to teach. Another thing to remember that a bad day is as long as a good day. Bad days pass.
While studying at California State University, Fullerton, there was a student who killed themselves. I was on my way to work at the library, I can't recall if it was a school shooter or suicide, but there was police tape and the ambulance present.
I would strongly suggest learning a different language. I also suggest traveling and living in another country for as long as you can even if it is just for a couple months or a year! I also suggest making an effort to meet new people on campus.
at CSUF