The success of crisis intervention work with international students is highly dependent not only on the skill of the professional staff involved, but also the availability and use of other student services that may be provided to the International Student Services (ISS) Office. There are many cultural issues that must be considered when counseling international students beyond the basic trust, empathy, active listening skills and sensitivity that should be present in all cross-cultural, interpersonal interactions. Ongoing, supportive relationships must be established between ISS and mental health services (MHS). A positive, helpful relationship can be abused by ISS if every or too many students are referred to MHS. Instead, it is best to evaluate the problem to determine whether a referral is appropriate, find those staff who are most supportive and use them as primary interveners. Concerns of the terminally ill international students include personal and emotional preparation for death, adequacy of medical care, and providing physical and emotional comfort. Many cultural issues may arise when counseling the terminally ill student or the friends and family after death. These include religion and religious beliefs, concepts and assumptions about death and terminal illness, financial issues and insurance, and reluctance to seek psychological assistance. (Guidelines for responding to the death of an international student, or the death of an international student's loved one are provided.) (LLL)