Nothing is more important for international students and their families than knowing that they are safe and supported during their studies overseas. On occasion, tragic incidences reported in the news may naturally raise concerns but we are proud that Study Group and our university partners in North America are fully committed to student health, safety and wellbeing.
Discrimination, bigotry, and harassment against any nationality, ethic group or religion are not tolerated on our campuses. Study Group and our partners emphasize that all students are welcome at our universities, and we embrace a diverse student population.
“You have a lot of opportunities to meet people from different cultural backgrounds and to make friends with people from other places around the world. It means you not only learn about American culture, but also other cultures,” said Chen Chen (Cici), an international student from China.
“My favorite thing about being here is the people. They are friendly and I can make a lot of friends; they just walk around and just say hi to everybody,” said Thien Duy Bui from Vietnam. “When I came here, I met new societies, new friends, that made me feel like home; they created memories and made me laugh and I had a lot of fun with them.”
America’s universities are truly international communities
Our North American partner universities embrace representation at all levels, from students to professors to university leadership.
Two partners’ presidents immigrated to the U.S. – Dr. Randhawa is from Pakistan, and DePaul President Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban is from the Philippines. With their advocacy and commitment to students, our universities and International Study Centres (ISCs) work together closely to ensure students’ safety and wellbeing.
Support for international students
Support for international students is provided by university offices such as the
- International Student Support Services
- Office of Diversity and Community Engagement
- Office of Health and Wellness
- Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion
- University Counseling Services
- University Health Centres
Students can reach out to any of these specialist services to seek support on a variety of issues. If any student faces difficulties, they are encouraged to raise these openly so they can be assisted and any problems sympathetically addressed.
Our partners and ISCs also provide classes and workshops for students to encourage diverse and inclusive interactions, and international students offer peer support to one another as they share the common experience of studying overseas. This often becomes a bond of friendship that lasts far beyond graduation.
Statements of support for all students
Western Washington University
President Dr. Sabah Randhawa, said, “It is up to us, wherever we live, to come together to stand against all forms of bigotry that lead to this kind of violence… Wherever you happen to be, I encourage you to reflect on ways that we can support members of our community who are suffering right now, and on our shared responsibilities to create communities that respect the fundamental dignity and humanity of all its members.”
Baylor University
President Dr. Linda A. Livingstone
“We especially will not stand for such sentiment, bias or violence within our community.”
DePaul University
Elizabeth Ortiz, vice president for Institutional Diversity and Equity
“DePaul University denounces anti-Asian and anti-Asian American bigotry…. Hate, discrimination and harassment have no place at DePaul.”
James Madison University
President Dr. Jonathan Alger
“Intolerance toward individuals because they belong to a particular racial or ethnic group is an unhealthy and dangerous sign of ignorance. JMU expresses its compassion, solidarity and commitment to the personal safety of each and every member of our community.”
University of Hartford
President Dr. Greg Woodward; Christine Grant, Executive Director for the Office of Diversity & Community Engagement; and Aaron Isaacs, Dean of Students (joint statement)
