"Can You Tell Me If I'm Doing This Right?":

Confirmation-Seeking in ISSS Advising During a Period of Regulatory Uncertainty

Abstract

This case study explores how policy, institutional constraints, and students’ need for confirmation shape international student advising. Set at a large public university in the United States during summer 2025, it follows a student who seeks reassurance from ISSS after submitting a request related to his legal status and travel plans. The case highlights a key professional dilemma: how advisors can provide support and clarity when processes are slow, outcomes cannot be guaranteed, and students are seeking not only information, but also a sense of reassurance.