Adelphi Helps International Students Who Can't Go Home

GARDEN CITY, NY — More than 700 of Adelphi University's students come from other countries. And with the coronavirus causing lockdowns and travel restrictions around the world, many of them can't return home. To help them, the university's International Services staff is expanding its services and offering more programs for students.

According to Adelphi, 111 of its international students have been able to return home. But 553 are in the United States, and 33 are still living on campus in Garden City. To help displaced students, Adelphi’s International Services team is keeping students up to date on the latest travel restrictions, nonimmigrant guidance, visa processing changes and other important documentation. They are also ensuring that students receive academic support and mental health counseling during the shift to online learning and social distancing.

“International Services is responsible for providing regulatory guidance and services to students and scholars while working remotely, and we have successfully transitioned to be fully operational externally,” said Wendy Badala, director of international services at Adelphi. “I recognize the distinct challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused our international student and scholar community, and I am dedicated to providing individualized support during this unprecedented experience during this crisis. It is important to me personally that the international community knows that International Services is committed to supporting you.”

To stay connected with their Adelphi classmates and professors from around the world, on Tuesdays informal chats are held via Zoom. The newly launched discussions, called “Chat Around the Globe,” are an online support system for members of the community to discuss coping mechanisms, regulatory questions, global understanding and ways to support each other. The chats have been a popular and productive way for students to deal with the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also keeping in touch through a newly launched digital newsletter called The International.

For those living on campus, the university is ensuring that students feel safe and at home and still have access to on-site food options and social events. For the past two weeks, International Services has held a “Zoom Movie Night” for students to enjoy. Adelphi’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business has also hosted Zoom conversations for its international business students.

Next week, Adelphi’s School of Social Work is launching a collaborative project called the Adelphi Mutual Aid Group, in which volunteer students will facilitate weekly, small-group discussions for residential and other students who cannot return home — many of these are international students. The project is under the leadership of Professor Carol Cohen, DSW.

“I am so impressed with the tremendous resilience and courage that the international students have shown during this period,” said Susan Briziarelli, assistant provost for global affairs at Adelphi. “Not only are they keeping up with their coursework, they are also finding creative and interesting ways to make a difficult situation bearable and even pleasant.”