By Cindy Robinson

Compassion, curiosity and a lot of patience: though not listed in her job description, Laura Cohen, BAHons/95, MA/97, says these three important attributes allow her to help thousands of international students integrate into university life every year.

Of the more than 1,500 international students who arrive on campus annually, Cohen says many need assistance with housing, culture shock, and finances. As coordinator of the International Student Advisory, Cohen is responsible for helping students with these social, legal, academic and cross-cultural issues.

Photos: Claudia Salguero

"Our mission is to provide settlement services, such as our airport welcome program, academic services, and to raise awareness of international issues on campus,” she says.

Carleton’s international student population spans 120 countries such as Albania, Eritrea, Lebanon, and Nepal. Nearly half of the international student population comes from China. And while such a diverse array of cultures “contributes to the richness” of the university experience, Cohen says that linguistic, cultural and religious challenges can make newcomers to the university feel isolated.

"Moving out of your own community can be very difficult for international students. Sometimes they come here because they need to talk about loneliness and culture shock, which can be very profound,” she says.

Cohen has established events such as monthly film nights to provide a social outlet for Carleton’s international population. Plus, services such as an English conversation circle, and a proofreading program, answer some of the academic needs her students encounter.

Though she has the difficult task of resolving a variety of personal, legal and academic crises her students experience, Cohen says she wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

"I have the best job on campus.”

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International Student Advisory
501 University Centre
Hours of operation:
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday

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