“My passion for helping international students succeed is influenced by my experiences growing up in Taiwan as an immigrant and completing my doctorate in Canada as an international student. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how an individual’s identities are shaped by their cultural environment and how they transform between different contexts.”
– Jennifer Ho
Licensed Psychologist
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
University at Albany, SUNY
Jennifer is a licensed psychologist who has experience with individual therapy. She helps both adults and young adults who struggle with difficult adjustments such as anxiety, grief and loss, as well as personal struggles with substances. Jennifer deals with a wide array of individuals, so her style focuses on collaborative, empathic, and non-judgmental. Jennifer has a passion for helping international students, and as an immigrant herself, she understands the struggles that many international students face.
Recently, Jennifer joined iCEP, where she was able to learn how to care and expand her knowledge on cross-cultural communication.
What inspired you to join the iCEP Academy, and how do you hope it will shape your work with international students?
“I joined iCEP academy because I wanted to deepen my understanding of factors that significantly shape international students’ wellbeing, such as immigration processes, career navigation, and networking. I’m excited for this experience to broaden my clinical framework and expand my toolkit so I can support international students more holistically. I hope to apply new strategies, language, and perspectives to my clinical work, as well as to outreach and advocacy.”
How has the iCEP experience so far inspired you or reinforced your passion for supporting international students?
“The iCEP experience has employed a strengths-based approach to working with international students, which is both refreshing and valuable. This approach centralizes the voices of international students, celebrating their strengths rather than seeing the differences as deficits. Additionally, it provides practical strategies to facilitate integration rather than encourage assimilation, which is both social-justice and cultural-humility-oriented. This dedication to creating a training space to enhance advisors’ competencies in working with international students is very much appreciated and needed. “
What advice would you give to others thinking about joining the iCEP Academy?
“Go for it! This is a valuable training opportunity that will greatly enhance the experiences of both international students and advisors working together. It aligns with the vision, mission, and values of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment’s strategic planning. Everything you thought you already knew will now be presented from a different perspective.”
Jennfier joined iCEP as a way of deepening her understanding of the challenges that many international students face. Now, thanks to iCEP, she is eager to apply her new skills in her day-to-day life.
About the Author
Marely Esperanza Pina
Marely is an English Literature major at Lake Forest College and the 2025 Fall Intern at ICAway. She brings a passion for storytelling and analysis to her writing. Marely has also played the flute for more than 12 years, a pursuit that fuels her creativity.
