International Expert Addresses Study Abroad Culture Shock
Dr. Mary Ann Santoro Bellini Shares Experience and Views at NAFSA National Conference

BALTIMORE, M.D., MAY 25, 2004 - Dr. Mary Ann Santoro Bellini, a widely respected psychologist based in Florence, Italy, addresses attendees Wednesday, May 26, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., Baltimore Convention Center, at the NAFSA-Association of International Educators National Conference, sharing her views on how to recognize and surmount culture shock while studying abroad. Dr. Bellini also recounts her experience counseling international students adjusting to grief and post-traumatic stress in her role as a leading member of an elite community of international medical and behavioral health providers assembled by HTH Worldwide, the leading provider of international health programs and online health and security information to the international education community, and sponsor of her appearance.

When students leave home to expand their personal horizons, they encounter significant challenges in adjusting to new surroundings and unexpected events. Dr. Bellini has first-hand experience counseling students while they are abroad and has devoted years of research to reaching a better understanding of culture shock and cross-cultural issues. She has identified signs and symptoms of culture shock and described four stages experienced by most students. At her presentation, she reviews these findings and also describes risk factors and the resources appropriate to helping students adjust.

Dr. Bellini has worked as an HTH Worldwide provider for four years. During that time, she has provided counseling services to HTH members on a one-on-one basis. Recently, she led a group counseling session for a group of HTH students who had been severely affected by a fellow student's critical accident. Providing HTH students with access to behavior health services when they are abroad is a key component to ensuring a positive study abroad experience.

Dr. Bellini holds a PhD. From the University of Rome, a Diploma in Psychotherapy from the Italian Society of Psychosomatic Medicine in Milan, and a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis from the Italian School of Clinical Hypnosis and Psychotherapy. She is a member of the National Italian Association of Professional Licensed Psychologists. She is also professor of Cross-Cultural Psychology at The Institute of Fine and Liberal Arts at Palazzo Recullai in Florence. Dr. Bellini is the consulting psychologist for Pepperdine University and New York University international programs in Florence as well as the leading behavior health specialist for HTH Worldwide's International Provider Community in Italy.

HTH Worldwide is an innovator and leader in helping international students, employees and leisure travelers identify, access and pay for quality healthcare around the world. HTH is the leading provider of primary health insurance for more than 120,000 international students at U.S. universities and also provides global health and safety resources to thousands of global business and leisure travelers. HTH's growing global online physician community gives members access to contracted providers in over 160 countries, and HTH's health and security tools cover over 500 popular destinations in the U.S. and abroad. Visit us at www.hthworldwide.com.