Deborah Harrison says making international students feel at home at SLU and in the U.S. evokes the maternal instincts in her.

As the new coordinator of international student services and theme cottages, Deborah runs an orientation program for first-year international students, which runs for three days before regular orientation starts. “This first year, I loved watching the students -- from Japan, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan -- 20 countries in all -- make friends with each other and come to feel comfortable and connected at St. Lawrence,” Deborah said.  “I watched ‘my’ first-years go off to their First-Year Program colleges almost with tears in my eyes -- they'd already come to seem like my own kids!”

Another responsibility Deborah has is advising the international students on personal, cultural and academic issues. She is also the advisor to the International House theme residence and all of their activities, such as Europe Night, a Diwali celebration and a trip to Niagara Falls.
Deborah says the only part of the job she isn’t crazy about is maintaining records online on all international students at SLU, as required by the federal Department of Homeland Security. She helps international students get their visas, and helps them to do all the paperwork and follow all the rules required to stay legally in the U.S.

What is she crazy about? “The students.  They are intelligent, creative, funny -- and our international students bring such richness to our campus with their perspectives on the world.” Deborah said watching them thrive at SLU, and helping them when they are not thriving, makes her days rich and very rewarding. She said, “I learn from them as well as, I hope, teach them.  And I certainly enjoy them.”