U of A resources help international students navigate academics, wellness, and beyond
As the semester picks up and students begin getting comfortable in their everyday routines, it is important to be aware of the many resources available on campus. From mental health to physical health to academic success, the University of Arizona provides a plethora of resources for students to feel more comfortable in their new home. Whether the student is on the main campus or online, there are numerous opportunities to receive assistance.
“It's about students utilizing the resources, and being willing to voice their concerns. Everybody can use these resources and everybody should be using them,” said Danita Smith, International Student Senior Advisor. “Things like programming and events, these are ways for other students to connect, and a good way of moral support, and peer support. It's fostering an environment in which students feel safe enough to voice their concerns or voice their issues and questions.”
Here a just a few examples of the many resources available to U of A students:
Think Tank
Think Tank is an academic support center dedicated to the success and improvement of students' academic careers to create lifelong learners. The center specializes in multiple areas including course-specific tutoring, writing support, test prep courses, and more. Private tutoring is also an option for current U of A students who benefit from a more personal and focused studying time. The majority of these resources are completely free for all U of A students whether they attend at the main campus or online.
Find the Think Tank near you.
Counseling and Psych Services
Counseling and Psych Services (CAPS) offers a variety of mental health services for students and staff at the university. Some of the services CAPS offers are counseling, crisis support, medication, workshops, and more. With both free and paid options, students can decide what type of programs best fit their mental health needs and goals. The friendly and welcoming environment as well as the discretion of the providers allows for students to feel comfortable in the area.
International students also benefit from a specialized counseling program that is specific to them and paid by their International Student Fee. Through this program, international students can attend consultations by Denise Contreras, a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 13 years of experience in multiple specialties. She provides consultations, and individual and group therapy for international students.
“Denise helps with multiple different things from culture shock to life management, to time management and more,” said Smith. “She is absolutely lovely and has a different formatting for therapy, she's got group settings as well as individual, and she's been such a great asset to our team because she's culturally minded. Meaning, that there may be issues that impact certain populations from different countries, more than others. She's a good contact for that because she's aware of what's going on, aware of what impacts those students specifically, perhaps, or what they may be dealing with.”
Students in need of an appointment can schedule it here.
Student Engagement and Career Development
The Student Engagement & Career Development (SECD) helps students acquire career skills, find opportunities, and foster connections. The SECD offers multiple resources and programs, including research opportunities, networking, career planning, and more. This program aims to help students grow in their professional careers and build their lives according to their goals and values. It makes sure that students are prepared for the next steps in their career whether that be now or after graduation.
Visit the SECD website to find upcoming events, resources, and advice.
Campus Health
Campus Health is the official health and wellness spot for Wildcats. From vaccines to checkups, and illness support, the clinic is a convenient and discreet location for students to address their health concerns. Services range in price, allowing students to decide which consultation and procedures are the best fit for them. To be more accessible to U of A students everywhere, many procedures and consultations are offered both online and in-person depending on the preference of each Wildcat.
Campus Pantry
Students can come to the Campus Pantry and grab anything they need for their homes, free of charge.
According to their website, “the Campus Pantry is a student-run supplemental grocery program that serves students, faculty, and staff.” Through the help of its various donors, any person with a U of A ID is welcome to come and grab anything they need for their homes, free of charge. The pantry works on a point system, meaning that every day they are open, each eligible person is given points they can then “buy” food items with. Each item is labeled by points that represent its “price.” The Campus Pantry is open Tuesday from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Visit the Campus Pantry next time you are on campus.
Campus Closet
Campus Closet is a donation-based program at the main campus that offers free clothing to students, faculty, and staff. The closet is equipped with clothing for every occasion, from professional wear to casual attire. The Campus Closet also operates on a point system, with 4 points given to each attendee when entering the room, each piece “priced” 2 points and under. The participants are then free to roam and sift through the countless garments in search of anything they might like.
According to their website, “As a program within ASUA, the Campus Closet makes a continuous effort to minimize clothing insecurity for our users and promote a sustainable way in obtaining clothing that can then be used on a day-to-day basis, and/or in the professional world.”
The Campus Closet is open Tuesday from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.. It is located on the first floor of the Student Union, directly underneath the Chick-fil-A.
Stop by the Campus Closet and see if you find any pieces you like!
Group Fitness at the Campus Rec
Along with mental, and academic well-being, Arizona offers multiple ways to get involved and stay fit. One of these options is group fitness programs. The campus recreation centers on campus include multiple programs, catering to different interests and proficiency levels. These programs range from cycling to F45, to yoga, and many more.
The wide variety of classes offered are all intended to create a safe and comfortable space for students no matter their expertise in the activity. Private training with an instructor is also an option if the student decides that they would rather have a more private start to their fitness journey.
For a one-time class pass the entrance fee is $10, while an unlimited pass is $45 for the semester. The convenience and affordability of these programs is one of the reasons why they are so popular. These classes are sure to fill up quick so remember to sign up in advance!
Saferide
Saferide is a free transportation service for U of A students, offering trips to, from, and on campus (within program boundaries). Since 1981, Saferide has provided students an alternative to walking alone at night, seeing as their services only begin operating in the nighttime. Similar to Uber and Lyft services, a Saferide lift can be scheduled through an app and instructed on where to pick up and drop off the student.
The service is managed and operated entirely by Arizona students and is funded by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA).
These are just some of the countless resources available to international students on and off campus. The university calendar, newsletter, and advisors are also great resources for finding help for each student. Check out the International Student Services page for more information!