On respecting PhD students on holidays (or helping expatriate students feel heard).
One of the trickiest bits about working with international students is navigating holidays.
I emphathize with students who are far from home because I grew up an expatriate.
As an American living in Asia in Former English colonies, we didn’t celebrate the 4th of July, President’s Day, and May Day was an entirely diff deal than in the States.
We did celebrate the Moon Festival, the Queen’s Birthday, the Lunar New Year and more …
It was a constant reminder that my family was different - albeit privileged - but not quite part of the local community.
I often wonder if the same is not true for my PhD students and faculty from other places.
If they often feel part of this place, but not entirely of this place.
I’ve watched Americans demand meetings on major holidays in Asia and non-American faculty demand meetings on major holidays here - Christmas Eve anyone?
I’m probably the worst - bc I like to celebrate all the holidays of my youth & the US holidays as well … I also forget them all the time. Sigh.
So how do you go about ensuring all PhD students feel welcome? And included?
First, respect all holidays - be it one in the the local environment or from their home country.
Grab a calendar and check dates - don’t ask for work to be delivered on a major holiday.
Second, minimize email on holidays.
There is not a lot that must be done immediately in this business.
Unless you have a time sensitive issue, queue the emails to be delivered the following day or after the weekend.
Third, don’t hesitate to wish folks the best on National Holidays at home.
That doesn’t mean culturally appropriate the event. It does mean acknowledging the event is important to your student.
Fourth, be consistent.
Respect the holidays of all students that you connect to - which can be tricky - if you work with people from many places and faiths.
Just remember one unhappy team member can drag everyone down.
Fifth, create opportunities for students to let you know what they want.
I’m used to taking a week off for some holidays in Asia. My students here tell me that’s not the norm bc they won’t travel home.
That you listen will mean a lot.
Sixth, don’t beat yourself up.
It’s easy to forget holidays - so if you make a misstep - apologize and do better the next time.
Finally, recognize that acknowledging holidays isn’t just about taking a day off - it’s also about signaling respect for your students’ home culture.
When abroad, I feel more valued when people acknowledge my holidays. It signals people are aware of my schedule and place of origin.
Acknowledging holidays makes you feel heard - which is important if you want your students to feel valued.
And you do want them to feel valued - they’ll do better work and make you better along the way.
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