Dr Emma Kerr1
1University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
International students often experience isolation and loneliness, which can significantly impact their mental wellbeing and overall university experience. To address this, the Counselling team at the University of Newcastle consulted with a focus group of international students to develop “NUmates”.
NUmates is a social program that utilises social media as a platform to foster a supportive community where students can interact, share experiences and plan in-person activities which build genuine friendships. The program, launched in March 2024 with the support of Medibank, is facilitated by Counselling staff and a student leader.
This presentation will cover the key steps in setting up this program, discuss the program’s successes and challenges, and share insights from a preliminary evaluation. Additionally, we will explore future directions for NUmates and how it can continue to evolve to meet the needs of international students.
Biography:
Emma is a Clinical Psychologist, who has been working as a Counsellor at the University of Newcastle for many years. She now coordinates programs aiming to improve student wellbeing on a broad scale.