The integration and inclusion of international students MITESOL 2015

The Integration and Inclusion of International Students on Campus

MITESOL 2015Michigan State University

October 9-10, 2015

Beth Ernst, Christie Gates, and Sally Thelen

Western Michigan University

Overview• Introduction• International Student Statistics and Research• Goals of the Meet/Greet Project• Planning, Logistics, and Budget• Marketing• Events• Challenges• Improvements for Future• Whole Group Discussion • Evaluation

Introduction• International Student Enrollment– Facts and Figures– Trends

• Who we are• CELCIS Program– Six level IEP– No TOEFL to matriculate

• Student-inspired event—January 2014– Nawal and Norah’s story

To the University

From CELCIS

International Student Statistics and Research (1)

• “Each day almost one million international students make their way to class at U.S. higher education institutions”(IIE, 2013; Glass, Wongtrirat and Buus, 2015 pg. 1).

• Campus administrators and leaders believe that “international students add diversity to a mostly homogeneous campus,” but…

International Student Statistics and Research (2)

• “…evidence that diversity contributes to the development of intercultural learning among U.S. students is relatively thin”(Glass, Wongtrirat and Buus, 2015 pg. 2).

• “Universities are eager to accept our fees—but are they doing enough to support young people like me who come from far away to study?” (Paudel, 2013; Glass, Wongtrirat and Buus, 2015 pg. 2)

Goals of the Meet/Greet Project• Create connections between CELCIS students, advisors,

professors, and students in departments across campus.• Support ongoing and long-term international student

engagement and inclusion (social networking, student organizations, etc.)

• Give CELCIS students an opportunity to ask questions about their upcoming academic programs – How do I register for classes?– How do I meet other students in my program?

Planning, Logistics, and Budget• Room reservation for 80-90 people• 1 round table for each department representative• Budget: $670– Catering– Advertising– Nametags

• Student worker compiled list of majors, contact info for advisors

Marketing• Save the Date email sent to department

representatives approx. 1 ½ months beforehand • Postcard sent to students and department

representatives 3 weeks beforehand• Classroom visits• Facebook• Newsletter

Events• Fall 2014: October 22

– 10 departments – Student attendees: No data

• Spring 2015: March 19– 10 departments – 42 student attendees

• Summer 2015: July 23– 9 departments– 29 student attendees

Challenges• Overestimated food and drink quantities• No representation from some units: How can we get

them involved?• Some representatives attended but received little

traffic: How can we encourage interaction?• Gap between classes and event • Lower level students wanted to attend

Improvements for future:• Need to solicit formal feedback from students and

departments • Target specific programs• Consult advising offices before setting date• Personal invitations from CELCIS Director• Personally directing students to student service

representatives• Opened event to Pre-Advanced students• Sign-in sheets• Consistent record keeping

Questions for Discussion• What are some ways that your program is integrating

and including international students on your campus?

• What challenges has your program faced while attempting to help international students adjust and integrate?

• What types of programs exist on your campus that help to make international students feel included?

Session EvaluationPlease complete the session evaluation surveyhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BYZBLDG