International students navigate unique pressures and stress which can lead to their use of drugs and alcohol to cope. Students can wear many hats, and sometimes this juggling act can be hard to balance. Learning to adjust to a new culture, different access to drugs and alcohol and adapting to how substances fit in social settings is a lot to navigate. Let’s explore how we can support students move through these transitions with a discussion on substance use, mental health and wellness. From this discussion we’ll look at how we can empower students and build on their strengths exploring coping mechanisms they can use to nurture their wellness and build buffers against substance misuse.