2. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
THANK YOU for volunteering your time to help with the
International Student Orientation! We could not run a
successful orientation without the help of our volunteers!
Please know that International Student and Scholar Services
appreciates the time and effort you are putting in to helping
with this orientation. We hope that it will be a rewarding
experience for you!
As you volunteer for our office, we ask that you follow these
guidelines:

3. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
As a volunteer, you are representing International
Student and Scholar Services, Kansas State University,
and the greater Manhattan community. Remember, you
may be the first point of contact for some of the new
students. Be friendly, helpful and welcoming!
Remember to SMILE!

4. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
Please DO NOT offer immigration, employment or
academic advice to students. If students have these
questions, please refer them to an ISSS employee.
Sara Thurston-González Maria Beebe Stacey Bailey Donna Davis
Director Assistant Director International Student International Student
Advisor Advisor

5. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
Please DO answer student questions about life at K-State
and Manhattan. Share information and tips that will
help new students adjust to campus, and feel welcome
here.
Please be knowledgeable of the orientation schedule.
Help answer student questions about the session
content, times and places. Our sessions are designed to
help students learn about K-State and campus culture.
Encourage new students to attend. Here is the link to
the schedule: http://www.k-
state.edu/isss/orientation/

6. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
DO NOT use your volunteer position to recruit students to
activities that will distract from orientation,
including student or religious groups. In agreeing to
volunteer, you agree that your first priority is to
assist ISSS with orientation activities, and help
students with their transition to campus.
After the beginning of classes, if your group would like
to send a notice, if appropriate, of an upcoming event
over the ISSS listserv, our office can assist you with
that.

7. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
Do not proselytize.
Proselytizing means to try to convert or recruit
someone to your beliefs.
• Be aware that religion and politics are very
sensitive topics.
• Do not put new students in uncomfortable situations
by asking them to pray with you or engaging them in
religious or political debate.
• Don’t collect students’ contact information. Give
your contact information so they can contact you if
they choose.

8. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
If you volunteer with ISSS as a driver, you must:
• Be a current employee of Kansas State University.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Please ask passengers to wear seatbelts at all times.
Do not carry more passengers than you have available
seatbelts.

9. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
Do not offer or consume alcohol or illegal drugs while
acting as an ISSS volunteer. Many of the ISSS events
include students under 21 years old.
Do not enter financial contracts with students or get
involved with students’ personal finances.

10. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
A NOTE ON CULTURE!
There will be students from MANY countries and cultures
represented at ISSS orientation and events! This means
there will be many cultural differences. Be sensitive
to them!
Also- volunteers are expected to be helpful and friendly
to ALL new students, even if they are not from the
same home country as you.

11. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
Here are some culture things to keep in mind:
• Greetings: not every student will want to shake your
hand or be hugged.
• Dress: Please dress casual, comfortable and
conservative. Please wear a purple T-Shirt and
nametag so that you can be recognized as a volunteer.
• Communication: In the U.S. we are very direct. We ask
many direct questions and expect direct answers.
Communication in many other cultures is indirect.
Please do not ask too many personal questions. Be
sensitive, and watch body language. Remember that
“maybe” may be a polite “no.”

12. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
If you recognize that a student is having trouble adjusting
to the U.S. or Kansas State University, refer the student
to ISSS. Our staff will make sure that the student
receives the appropriate support.

13. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
And remember…

14. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
We thank you!
For the time, effort and good cheer that you are
bringing to our orientation!