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JOURNAL OF YOUTH RESEARCHES
University-Based Social Work Intervention with International Students: Using a Multicultural Approach
of students in academic success. Here lies the importance of cooperation between state
institutions, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Council of Higher Education
through development programs that help welfare of international students and facilitate
their adaptation into the new society. In addition, the availability of competent units within
universities and student hosting help students to have access to these services and to
get benefit.
In order to solve the problems of international students International Students Offices
must be established in all universities. With the help of this office it can be possible to sol-
ve the problems of these students through the provision of advisory services, follow-up
academic situation, organize recreational and cultural activities as well as periodic mee-
tings (Özer, 2012, pp. 10-13). In addition to the educational, cultural and guidance servi-
ces this office should provide social services units, as well. In these social service units,
two social workers, two psychologists and guidance specialists should be employed.
They should be able to speak foreign languages and work with an understanding of te-
amwork for the solution of different psycho-social and economic needs and the problems
of international students. The location of this office, its telephone number, working hours
and services should be announced to international students when they are enrolled in the
university (Snoubar, 2015). The existence of such centers in university campus contribu-
tes significantly to the welfare of international students, strengthens them and specially
provides support for the ones who face cultural adjustment problems. In addition, throu-
gh these units social workers can consolidate and strengthen vulnerable students such
as the disabled ones, those with different sexual orientations and the students coming
from the environment of war and conflict.
Young people who have lived for a time in an environment of war and conflicts highly
need psychological and social services, such as psychological and social support prog-
rams and rehabilitation programs in order to dispose from the negative effects of what
that they have experienced or witnessed in the violence environment (Snoubar ve Hawal,
2015, pp. 129-136). Consequently, taking into account these vulnerable groups and, the
development of treatment programs and guidelines rehabilitating and supporting them
psychologically and socially has necessarily become urgent. It is hard to consider a host
state which doe not provide for international students with the necessary social services.
These services enhance international students by contributing to the solution of their
problems and therefore their academic success as well as to realize the idea of cultural
exchange and the globalization of education and the educational institution.
Multicultural Approach and Social Work Practice with International
Students
Cultural factor is one of the most important factors that international students focus on
during the selection of country of higher education. However, the new culture remains as
a mysterious and enigmatic issue for them. The host country must develop mechanisms
