When Soledad Quiroz traveled from Chile to begin her graduate program in biochemistry, the international student was bombarded with surprises. Not only did she have to adjust to the culture at MSU, but the international student found out she was pregnant with her first child.
"There are a lot of challenges with kids around," said Quiroz, adding her husband was residing in Chile at the time. "Living on campus is expensive, and it is hard to find a family-oriented place to live. Also, because of my international status, I cannot work over a certain amount of hours per week."
Lori Strom, coordinator of the Family Resource Center, said she hears stories like Quiroz's often. Juggling parenthood with academics is hard for students, who are many times told by faculty and staff they can't do both.
"Its time we find out what's going on with women on our campus," Strom said. "It's very important for students to share their experiences."
Through her Status of Women project, Strom is holding a series of forums where women can gather to discuss their problems and needs. On Tuesday, a forum for international women students was held at the International Center. There, participants discussed a variety of topics, including their struggles to find support from faculty when they have children and the relationship between international and domestic students.
Many of the women present had children, and Strom said the support net at MSU for student parents is shaky.
"Many times professors have low expectations of them," Strom said. "But if you offer sensitivity and support for a student parent, they are more likely to stay in school and graduate."
Laleah Fernandez, part of the Parent Education Opportunity Coalition, an advocate group for student parents, said the climate on campus is rougher for international students who are parents. She said international students pay higher tuition, but are not eligible for state assistance.
In addition, students need to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid, but must work 40 hours a week to receive state child care assistance.
"Parents need to choose to work full-time or go to school full-time," Fernandez said. "I've tried, and you can't do both."
The Family Resource Center cites MSU infant childcare, offered at Spartan Child Development Center, costs about $12,000 per year.
Quiroz, whose daughter is now 1-year-old, said her life at MSU was easier because she found a university mentor who can offer the support Strom discussed.
"I was lucky to go into a department that was very flexible and open to my needs," she said. "You have to have a life outside of academics, and they understand that."
