Patricia A. Burak
Published: 1987
Total Pages: 74
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The purpose of this document is to prepare those who work with foreign students for the variety of emergency situations in which a consciousness of cross-cultural differences can be significant. It is primarily intended to provide educational and resource material to those who advise, counsel, and assist foreign students and scholars and their families in the United States. The premise of the manual is that an emergency situation in any setting elicits a series of emotional, psychological, and physiological responses from those in a position to provide assistance, but that in a cross-cultural setting, an additional element of anxiety is introduced due to the unknown aspects of the foreign culture involved. Whether the situation involves a foreign student in an American university, or an American abroad, counselors need to understand and respect the differences inherent in each culture in order to provide rapid, effective, and sensitive treatment of emergency situations. Hence this publication discusses emergency or crisis situations in order to help others prepare in advance to handle them. It addresses issues such as health problems, personal crises in the United States and in the home country, legal and financial crises, suicide, murder, sex-related crises, missing persons, and terrorist activities. Case studies, a directory of resources, and related resource readings are included. (BHK)