Syracuse University

Counseling Services While Abroad

While it is common for college students to experience stress while on campus, it is important to know that studying abroad may compound this stress due to the natural challenges of living and studying in a foreign country/culture. This page will offers students advice on how to prepare for their study abroad experience as well as access counseling services while abroad.

Preparing to Study Abroad

Students who participate in regular counseling to help manage stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions should plan ahead for their semester abroad. 

• Meet with your counselor before your departure and discuss strategies to help you navigate your condition while you are abroad.  What tips does your counselor recommend to manage your condition, should you experience stressors while abroad?
• SU Abroad can also assist students in connecting with an English-speaking counselor prior to and after a student's departure.  Students should contact Julie Riverso, associate director of admissions and student services, at jurivers@syr.edu for assistance in locating a counselor prior to departure.  While abroad, students can contact a staff member at their center location.  Click here to see a list of staff.
• Speak to your health insurance company about coverage for mental health services overseas.  You will likely need to pay for services upfront and, if your insurance company covers these services, submit your receipt for reimbursement.
• If you take medication, plan ahead to bring enough for your entire semester abroad. Your specific medication may not be available or not available in the same dosage abroad.  You should not plan to receive medication via mail.  It may take time to work with your doctor and your health insurance company, so start this process early.

While Abroad

While SU Abroad center locations do not have counseling centers on-site, we can refer students to English-speaking counselors in the local community.  It is common for students studying abroad to experience stress, home sickness, and other forms of culture shock.  SU Abroad center staff will be happy to speak confidentially with you and provide you with a counseling referral.  Please don't be afraid to ask for assistance.  SU Abroad wants every student to have a healthy and happy experience abroad.  Who do I go to for help?

Helping a Friend or Student

Students and faculty may worry that their friend/student is experiencing difficulty coping with stress and/or other mental health conditions while abroad.  We encourage students and faculty to speak to an SU Abroad staff member and/or refer the student to seek assistance. 

When to Refer

Consider referring a student to the SU Abroad staff if you notice:

• You're doing more personal counseling than academic advising with a student.
• A student seems to be perpetually tired, anxious, depressed, irritable, angry, or sad.
• Marked changes in a student's appearance or habits such as, deterioration in grooming or hygiene, dramatic weight loss, marked withdrawal in a normally outgoing person, accelerated activity or speech in a normally reserved person, or marked change in academic performance.
• Indications of hopelessness or helplessness.
• A student's use of alcohol or other substances interferes with his/her relationships or work.
• A student's thoughts or actions appear unusual to others.

How to Refer
If you notice any of these warning signs, the best way to make a referral is to inform the student in a straightforward, matter-of-fact manner of your concern. Be specific regarding the behavior patterns you have observed. At this point, suggest that he/she consider personal counseling and refer the student to the designated SU Abroad staff member for assistance. If the student agrees to the referral, you may:

• Call the designated SU Abroad staff member directly or have the student call in front of you to arrange an appointment.
• Agree that the student will contact the office on his/her own to make an appointment.
• In urgent or crisis situations, walk the student over for immediate contact with our staff.

Except in emergencies, the option should be left open for the student to accept or refuse a referral for counseling.

Emergencies
An emergency can occur anytime. In some instances of severe emotional disturbance, immediate response is necessary for the well-being of the student or others. In an emergency, call the respective SU Abroad emergency phone number or the SU Abroad home office, 001-315-443-3471.

Frequently Asked Questions about Counseling Referrals

What can I say to encourage a student to go to counseling?
I'm concerned about you because:

• You are missing class
• You seem to be experiencing a great deal of stress
• You seem to be drinking a lot (or engaging in other risky/dangerous behavior)
• From what you tell me you are really sad, etc.

What if the student resists? Below are some responses to common student statements:

"I'm not crazy." Reassure the student that most of the students who receive counseling are looking for help with common everyday problems and concerns, and are not "crazy."

"I can take care of it on my own." Point out that therapists don't do things for you or tell you what to do, they help you discover what's not working and how you might make things better for yourself.

"But I don't want anybody to know." Explain to the student that the counseling referrals are kept as confidential as possible.

What are common psychological issues for college students? 

The Syracuse University Counseling Center provides information on these topics on their website found here.

Who Should I Ask for Help?

Any SU Abroad staff member will assist a student in distress, however, below is a list of staff members who specialize in referring students to counseling services.

Beijing

Caroline Tong

Director

E-mail: catong@syr.edu

Phone: 86-10-5153-5577

Florence

Amy Kleine

Assistant Director for Student Health and Wellness

E-mail: askleine@syr.fi.it

Phone: 39-055-5031-324

Emergency Phone: 39-335-721-8484

Hong Kong

Joffre Chan

Director

E-mail: jchan@syracuse.scope.edu

Phone: 852-2776-1946

London

Linda Harkness

Senior Student Services Coordinator

E-mail: lharkness@syracuse-u.ac.uk

Phone: 44-207-400-9322

Emergency Phone: 44-795-7473-159

Madrid

Marisa Mate

Administrative Health Coordinator

E-mail: mmate@sumadrid.es

Phone: 34-913-19-9942

Emergency Phone: 34-696-413-977

Santiago

Mauricio Paredes

Director

E-mail: maparede@syr.edu

Phone: 562-978-3336

Strasbourg

Raymond Bach

Director

E-mail: bach.raymond@syracuse-france.fr

Phone: 33-388-25-71-92