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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

THANK YOU for volunteering your time to help with the International Student Orientation! We could not run a successful orientation without the help of our volunteers!

Please know that International Student and Scholar Services appreciates the time and effort you are putting in to helping with this orientation. We hope that it will be a rewarding experience for you!

As you volunteer for our office, we ask that you follow these guidelines:

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

As a volunteer, you are representing International Student and Scholar Services, Kansas State University, and the greater Manhattan community. Remember, you may be the first point of contact for some of the new students. Be friendly, helpful and welcoming!

Remember to SMILE!

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

Please DO NOT offer immigration, employment or academic advice to students. If students have these questions, please refer them to an ISSS employee.

Sara Thurston-GonzálezDirector

Maria BeebeAssistant Director

Stacey BaileyInternational Student Advisor

Donna DavisInternational Student Advisor

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINESPlease DO answer student questions about life at K-

State and Manhattan. Share information and tips that will help new students adjust to campus, and feel welcome here.

Please be knowledgeable of the orientation schedule. Help answer student questions about the session content, times and places. Our sessions are designed to help students learn about K-State and campus culture. Encourage new students to attend. Here is the link to the schedule: http://www.k-state.edu/isss/orientation/

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

DO NOT use your volunteer position to recruit students to activities that will distract from orientation, including student or religious groups. In agreeing to volunteer, you agree that your first priority is to assist ISSS with orientation activities, and help students with their transition to campus.

After the beginning of classes, if your group would like to send a notice, if appropriate, of an upcoming event over the ISSS listserv, our office can assist you with that.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINESDo not proselytize.

Proselytizing means to try to convert or recruit someone to your beliefs. • Be aware that religion and politics are very sensitive

topics.• Do not put new students in uncomfortable situations by

asking them to pray with you or engaging them in religious or political debate.

• Don’t collect students’ contact information. Give your contact information so they can contact you if they choose.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

If you volunteer with ISSS as a driver, you must:• Be a current employee of Kansas State University.• Have a valid driver’s license.• Please ask passengers to wear seatbelts at all times. Do

not carry more passengers than you have available seatbelts.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

Do not offer or consume alcohol or illegal drugs while acting as an ISSS volunteer. Many of the ISSS events include students under 21 years old.

Do not enter financial contracts with students or get involved with students’ personal finances.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

A NOTE ON CULTURE!

There will be students from MANY countries and cultures represented at ISSS orientation and events! This means there will be many cultural differences. Be sensitive to them!

Also- volunteers are expected to be helpful and friendly to ALL new students, even if they are not from the same home country as you.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINESHere are some culture things to keep in mind:

• Greetings: not every student will want to shake your hand or be hugged.

• Dress: Please dress casual, comfortable and conservative. Please wear a purple T-Shirt and nametag so that you can be recognized as a volunteer.

• Communication: In the U.S. we are very direct. We ask many direct questions and expect direct answers. Communication in many other cultures is indirect. Please do not ask too many personal questions. Be sensitive, and watch body language. Remember that “maybe” may be a polite “no.”

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

If you recognize that a student is having trouble adjusting to the U.S. or Kansas State University, refer the student to ISSS. Our staff will make sure that the student receives the appropriate support.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

And remember…

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

We thank you! For the time, effort and good cheer that you are bringing to our orientation!