Home Away From Home. Having Success Abroad

At RNG International, we firmly believe that there are many similarities when working with and advising all types of students whether domestic, international or Third Culture Kids (TCKs). However, there are many ways in which the needs of international students and TCKs are unique.

Some years ago, the Advisory Committee to the College Counseling Certificate program at the University of California – Irvine approached Rebecca and asked her to create a course for consultants on how to work with international students. She designed the course and continues to train and mentor consultants who want to expand their work in this field. The issues she identified as being unique to international students and TCKs include:

  • cultural considerations
  • understanding American universities and colleges from a foreign point-of-view
  • adjustment issues
  • how different universities approach international recruiting and care for their students throughout the process
  • procedures for the application process which heavily lean on American systems to make it happen
  • obtaining transcripts and letters of recommendations, even in different languages
  • writing essays
  • financial concerns
  • obtaining student visas
  • transitioning to American universities from abroad

In-Depth Experience

Rebecca has lived in 10 countries outside of the United States. Curing that time, she was on the faculty of American international school and worked on education issues for the U.S Department of State. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) as well as the Ethics Committee. Previously she was the chairperson of the Global Consulting Committee and the Schools Committee for IECA. She is currently a member of the International Association of College Admissions Counselors (IACAC), the Higher Education Consultants Association, and the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). Rebecca has led the International Taskforce for IECA and is an active member on the Advisory Board of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation where she gives an annual college workshop. Rebecca has also served also on the board of directors of the Families in Global Transition. She has raised her three young adult children abroad and is very much aware of the unique issues related to TCKs. Her reputation for working with international students and TCKs is widely recognized by the families she has worked with and by her professional peers. You can read more about her bio here.

Interested in learning more? Read our blogs about international students and TCKs.