Multicultural Issues in Supervision - Supervising International Counseling Students

Abstract

America has become a multi-cultural society, hence international students who have chosen a career in counseling education have increasingly embraced the United States as a destination for their studies most especially at the graduate level. According to a survey of CACREP-accredited counseling programs in the U.S. conducted by Ng in 2006 stated that 24 out of 45 doctoral programs had 77 international students in total enrolled in 2004, which was an average of three students per program. Unique challenges and difficulties are faced by these international students during their studies and training in the counseling and supervision program. Some of the challenges faced by the students are communication during i.e language barrier and getting counseling agency sites for their practicum and internship aspect of their study. Acculturation is another problem that students face. Students leave their country of origin and are subjected to transitioning process into new culture which sometimes become difficult to integrate. This cross-cultural experience transitions into the supervisory relationship. Supervisors have to be competent in understanding the various dynamics that are paramount to relating with international students. Knowing the challenges that the students face provides an effective platform to bridge the gap between the student (supervisee) and the supervisor.