Wellbeing & Safety

October 17, 2023 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm*

Identity can be a complicated and confusing topic for both domestic and international students living and studying in the United States. The Talk About: Personal and Social Identities workshop invites students to reflect on the many identities that encompass who they are (e.g., nationality, ethnicity, class), and how those identities influence their sense of self and how they’re perceived by others. Human beings are simultaneously individuals and members of communities, and this workshop will encourage participants to reflect on this active dynamic in their own lives.

Special Guests:

• Pedro Falci, Director of the Wellbeing Project
• Anisha Erasani, MPH candidate, Graduate Assistant for Programming
• Sonya Nguyen, MPH candidate, Graduate Assistant for Programming

Agenda:

• Welcome and introductions
• Presentation
• Social Identity Wheel activity
• Discussion: Reflecting on identity
• Q&A

Event Materials:

• Social Identity Wheel

October 13, 2022 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

The second event in the fall 2022 Talk About series is Talk About: Gender Identity and Pronouns. This presentation is an introduction to gender inclusive practices. A special guest from the Dean of Students Office will discuss LGBTQIA+ terminology, introduce a guided reflection on gender expression and identity, and provide simple ways to change behaviors to incorporate gender inclusive practices into your daily life.

Special Guest:

• Katy Collins, Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, Dean of Students Office

Agenda:

• Welcome and Introductions
• Presentation (DOS)
• Student panel
• Q&A

Event Materials:

• LGBTQIA+ Resources

Thursday, October 7, 2021 4–5 pm ET

The third event in the fall 2021 series is Talk About: International Students and Safety. Sergeant Cuzzi from the Boston University Police Department will discuss safety tips on and off campus and answer your questions. There will be a presentation about common scams and frauds targeting international students and recommendations on how to protect yourself and report incidents.

Special Guest

• Sergeant Larry Cuzzi (BUPD)

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions
• Presentation (BUPD)
• Q&A

Monday, October 5, 2020 10 am EDT

Cong Zhang, PhD, a Staff Psychologist from Student Health Services will discuss available resources to support students’ emotional, spiritual, academic, and social well-being during COVID-19. International Peer Mentors will share personal experiences and recommendations on living and studying at home during LfA, normalizing experiences related to COVID-19, and managing broader societal and cultural changes in 2020.

International Peer Mentor Co-hosts

• Sierra Cazassa, SED ‘22
• Andrew Ngo, CAS ’23
• Qingyi Ye, CAS ‘21

Special Guest

• Cong Zhang, PhD, Staff Psychologist, Student Health Services

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions
• Presentation (Student Health Services)
• Panel with International Peer Mentors
• Q&A

Thursday, September 17, 2020 9 pm EDT

Special guests from the BU Arts Initiative and the Student Activities Office will discuss clubs, activities, and virtual resources available to students during LfA. International Peer Mentors will share personal experiences and recommendations on making connections, getting involved, and finding a community during LfA.

International Peer Mentor Co-hosts

• Andrew Ngo, CAS ’23
• Lea Kapur, CGS ’22
• Dilara Turut CAS ’21
• Vaibhavi Hansrajani ENG ’22
• Kreiver Zhou Peng ENG ’22

Special Guests

• Ty Furman, Managing Director, BU Arts Initiative
• Margaret Babson, Assistant Director, Student Activities Office

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions
• Presentation (BU Arts Initiative, Student Activities Office)
• Panel with International Peer Mentors
• Q&A

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 10-11 am ET

Join us for a conversation about how to “thrive in the new normal” as three International Peer Mentors facilitate a discussion with Juan Leon Parra and Chelsea Cobb, instructors of the LEAD BU class and the Healthy Relationships class. We will discuss topics such as academic resiliency, social wellness, self-advocacy, and relationship management.

International Peer Mentor Co-hosts

• Arianna Amonte CAS ’21
• Johanna Geary CAS ’21
• Vaibhavi Hansrajani ENG ’22

Special Guests

• Chelsea Cobb, Senior Training Associate, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
• Juan Leon Parra, Training Associate, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions
• Presentation (Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation)
• Discussion with International Peer Mentors
• Q&A

Event Materials

• College Mental Health Spring 2021 Activities