The Counseling Center is offering a helping hand to international students who may be searching for support.

The center has created the International Students Support Group, which meets from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday in 207 Student Services. The first meeting was held Sept. 24.

The group aims to provide a place where international students can obtain resources and make friends. The group will also focus on how to deal with communication and emotional health while adjusting to a new environment - a situation some international students find themselves in at MSU.

Deepika Reddy, a doctoral psychology intern at the center and one of the group’s facilitators, said the group planned its first meeting prior to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but found it even more appropriate to focus on since then.

“We felt it was even more useful for students directly affected by the incident,” she said. “Many cultures don’t embrace counseling. Our center has made a big effort to talk to international groups about counseling.”

Reddy said the group has been advertising its purpose at informational meetings designed to help students cope with the aftermath of the attacks.

Durriya Meer, also a doctoral psychology intern and group facilitator, said the purpose of the meetings are meant to provide a a place for international students to receive support and assistance.

“I think we should let them know there is a confidential, nonjudgmental resource they can turn to,” she said. “A lot of them feel they are the only ones going through that.”

And Meer said being an international student has allowed her to connect with the feelings of students who are new to MSU’s environment.

“It’s been an interest of mine because I can relate well to the problems and experiences of adjusting to this culture,” she said. “There were times when I wished someone would have told me things. I’ve always wanted to work with international students.”

Hifumi Ohnishi, a counselor at the center and mentor of the support group, said it is important for students to share their feelings in such a setting.

“We are trying to make a support network for international students on this campus so students can feel more connected to other people,” she said. “Also, trying to understand about being an international students on this campus and in this country.”

And Ohnishi said the group is a good opportunity to get to know others.

“Many international students are very isolated,” she said. “They don’t know many systems here, so they don’t know how to get information, don’t have many friends and family here. The group will provide a way for them to get support and information.”