A campus organization that relies on American student volunteers to help international students adjust to life in Athens is changing its operation and name because of a lack of participation by the American students, according to Leigh Poole, director of International Student Life.
“There are times when we have hundreds on the listserv, but only 20-40 show up for each event,” said Leigh Poole, director of International Student Life. Poole said she hopes reductions in the amount of time each student is asked to contribute will increase participation.
Poole directs Global Friends, which tried to pair each international student with an American student who could be a peer mentor. The pairs would then participate in group activities such as tailgating at a football game or attending Dawgs After Dark.
“There are times when it is difficult for UGA students to commit to a fulltime mentor relationship, “ Poole said.
To increase participation, international students will no longer be paired with a specific American student. Instead, the organization will provide an activity that both international and American students can attend and interact. To reflect the changes, the organization will now be called Global Connections.
Poole said the changes should “give the students more time to build their own relationships.”
Poole said the “mentor program is designed to be intimate and foster deeper relationships.” These relationships can help international students overcome problems adjusting to a new culture, including loneliness and depression.
Ashlee Perry, the graduate assistant in charge of Global Connections, said that her goal this year is “effective programming” in order to “make a place that the student will want to come to."
The first event was a potluck dinner to which students can bring a variety of dishes. Perry is taking suggestions for the next meeting.
“They will come if they give me the idea for it, so hopefully we will have better attendance,” she said.
Seoul Wang, a sophomore from Duluth, participated in the potluck dinner so he could “check out all the cool food I could make for the event online.” He and his girlfriend brought Korean-style barbecue and a Filipino dessert.
Along with providing international students with a chance to get connected at the University, Global Connections allows American students to gain a greater cultural understanding.
Wang is ready to stay more involved in Global Connections.
“I hope to have a fun time and learn more about the program,” he said in a Facebook message.
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