How do I book a session at my university's student counselling centre?

Yes, international students can use it. Campus counselling centres are free for any enrolled student and nationality is not a factor.

The name varies between universities — student counselling centre, student life counselling institute — so search your university website for the word counselling rather than an exact title.

Booking is usually through an application page on that site, and phone or in-person requests work too. The pattern is an intake session first, to establish what you want to talk about, then assignment to a counsellor, then sessions of roughly fifty minutes, typically weekly. What you describe — your major and your plans after graduation not coming together — is among the most common reasons students come. These centres are not only for psychological difficulty; academic, career and adjustment issues are standard. Aptitude and personality assessments are usually free or inexpensive.

Ask about language when you book. Korean is the default, but a growing number of universities have counsellors who can work in English, and where they do not, the international office can often arrange interpretation or a session designated for international students. Make it your first question so they can allocate accordingly.

One reassurance, because many international students hesitate for this reason: sessions are confidential and are not passed to your department or your academic supervisor. They have no effect on your grades or your visa status. Separately, many universities run a career development centre alongside the counselling centre, and using both is sensible when the question is partly about what comes after graduation. Appointments fill quickly once term is underway, so apply early in the semester.