2. International Student Characteristics
Quick Facts
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Approximately 720,000 Foreign Students in US
45% Female, 55% Male
89% Single, 11% Married
92% Full-time, 8% Part-time
Largest majority are from Asia (23% China)
3. International Student Characteristics
Quick Facts
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More than 50% pursuing Graduate level degrees
Primary source of funding: Personal or Family
Homesickness- #1 Issue
Language Barriers- #2 Issue
4. Where International Students Study
• Top three states:
California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts and
Illinois
• What about Georgia?
Ranked 12th (15,359)
GA Tech (5000), Emory (2000), GA State (1500)
• Top five countries of origin:
China, India, South Korea, Canada, Taiwan
6. Issues Facing International Students
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Language Barriers
Cultural Barriers
Social Isolation
Financial Hardship
Transportation
Discrimination / Exploitation
7. Language Barriers
• TOEFL- Test of English as a Foreign Language
• Impacts Communication with Professors and
Peers – Oral and Written
Accents
Colloquial sayings
Many classes consist of lectures and papers
8. Cultural Barriers
• Dealing with stress
International students less likely to consult a
professional when dealing with stress, depression
or academic challenges
• Academic
Plagiarism (Cultural Vs. Academic)
Learning Styles and classroom culture
• Freedom of choice
Elective courses
• Social Cues
9. Social Isolation
• International students cite cultural and language
barriers as a major source of stress and
alienation
• Lack of connection to traditional family/cultural
support network leads to feelings of isolation
and loneliness
• Excessive study habits due to pressure to
perform well academically, as expected by
family who provide financial support, reduces
social contact
10. Social Isolation, Cont.
• International students may have high
levels of conflict with self-exploration and
growth
• Daily Struggles
11. Financial Hardship
• Not eligible for Federal or State Financial Aid
• F-1 Student visa holders are not allowed to
work once in US (USCIS regulations)
• Required to pay out-of-state tuition
• Student’s family struggle to provide funds to
cover tuition, books and living expenses
12. Transportation
• Bus (Some but not all schools are on the public
bus route or provide school shuttles)
• Bicycle (On campus & metro area schools)
• Marta (Limited to institutions within the metro
area)
• Car (DDS-Must prove eligibility via immigration
documents and photo ID)
13. Discrimination / Exploitation
• Issues with Immigration
International students are often scared to report
crimes against them for fear of deportation
International students who are working often face
poor working conditions and are afraid to complain
for fear of reprisal (being reported to immigration)
Many students struggle with housing issues
(overcrowding, overt discrimination from realtors)
15. Crisis Warning Signs
• Infrequent class attendance; excessive
tardiness
• Changes in personal hygiene or dress
• Social withdrawal or inability to interact with
others
• Disruptive, aggressive, threatening,
inappropriate or bizarre behavior
• Expressed or written reference to self harm
16. Positive Programs
• International Student Fellowships
• Relationships between faculty and international
students
Research shows that relationships between
faculty and intern students have a positive
impact on students success
• Mentoring Relationships
Setting up American students and
international student mentoring relationships
17. Student Support Services
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Professional/Career Workshops/Seminars
Academic Tutorial Center
Stress Management Techniques
Career Development
Job Search/Resume Development
Referral to Professional Resources (mental
health services, public health clinic, support
groups)
18. Resources
NAFSA – Association of International
Educators (March 2012)
http://www.nafsa.org/public_policy.sec/grassroots_advocacy/advocacy_day/
Understanding stressors of international students in higher education: what
college counselors and personnel need to know
By: Monique Olivas and Chi-Sing Li
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCG/is_3_33/ai_n17134814/?tag=conte
nt;col1
Academic Challenges Faced by International Students
Adapted by: Heather Marie Kosur, Edited by: Noreen Gunnell, Updated Jan
18, 2011
http://www.brighthub.com/education/college/articles/85962.aspx
http://www.iie.org/en/Research-and-Publications/~/media/Files/Corporate/OpenDoors/Fast-Facts/Fast%20Facts%202011.ashx
19. Resources
http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED276296.pdf
Open Doors Institute (2011)
http://www.iie.org/en/Research-andPublications/~/media/Files/Corporate/Open-Doors/FastFacts/Fast%20Facts%202011.ashx
Kadison, Richard, M.D. & Digeronimo, Theresa F. (2004) College of the Overwhelmed,
The Campus Mental Health Crisis and What To Do About It. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
Publishers.
Notas del editor
http://www.iie.org/en/Research-and-Publications/~/media/Files/Corporate/Open-Doors/Fast-Facts/Fast%20Facts%202011.ashxAccording to the Institute of International Education - Open Doors International study gathers statistics on international students and scholars studying or teaching at higher education institutions in the United States, and U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit at their home colleges or universities.In the 2010-2011 school year there were 723, 277 international students throughout colleges and universities in the U.S.That is a 23% increase in international students since the year 2000.
States with the top percentage of international students: California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois Top universities in GA: Georgia Institute of Technology (app. 5,000), Emory (app. 2,000), Georgia State (appl. 1,500) Top five countries of origin: China, India, South Korea, Canada, and Taiwan Asian students are more likely to face language difficulties than other international students
TOEFL-Even though students may pass the test, they will probably still struggle with language, especially writing. APA style, deadlines, working alone or with others, and colloquial sayings might hinder international students’ success. Although the information may be insightful and correct, international students’ might suffer from the technicalities of grammar and proper writing. Professors should take this into consideration when grading international student work. I.e.. of colloquial sayings: “It is raining cats and dogs!” “I’m gonna string her up by her toenails!” http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED276296.pdf
International students are less likely to consult a counseling center when they are stress, homesick, or depressedPlagiarism is a new concept for some international students, particularly Arab students who come from cultures that view learning as the process of integrating others’ ideas into your own and making them your own. Arab students might also struggle with choosing electives. They come from a culture where the degrees were very strictly set and they might have more trouble planning out their own degrees than their American counter parts. Additionally, learning styles differ form county to country. In many foreign countries class participation and group projects are not common. Students receive information from the professor in a format lecture and demonstrate their knowledge back on paper via an examination. In the US we have an informal learning style in the classroom, where input is welcome, but this can be intimidating to foreign students who may be concerned about their accent or correct use of words.The way Americans communicate can be challenging to International students. Here we shake hand and touch and hug each other when we talk. Some international students may be uncomfortable with physical contact. Also, in some countries personal space and distance between individuals talking is much smaller. Americans may be uncomfortable with International students standing very close when talking. Kadison, Richard, M.D. & Digeronimo, Theresa F. (2004) College of the Overwhelmed, The Campus Mental Health Crisis and What To Do About It. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED276296.pdf
Understanding stressors of international students in higher education: what college counselors and personnel need to know By: Monique Olivas and Chi-Sing Lihttp://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCG/is_3_33/ai_n17134814/?tag=content;col1
Many International students experience guilt and internal conflict when the experiences and growth they encounter in college is contrary to their culture beliefs. International students are constantly faced with decision about every or they make, it is a struggle to think, speak and write in a language that is not your native language. It is tiring to have to be aware and conscience every waking minute.Kadison, Richard, M.D. & Digeronimo, Theresa F. (2004) College of the Overwhelmed, The Campus Mental Health Crisis and What To Do About It. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
International students are not eligible for the federal financial aid that most U.S. students take advantage ofInt. students may be faced with travel, living expenses, and document and fee expenses that their American counterparts do not have to considerPrimary Source of Funding63% Student or student’s family23% U.S. College or University6% Foreign Gov or University5% Current Employment Academic Challenges Faced by International StudentsAdapted by: Heather Marie Kosur, Edited by: Noreen Gunnell, Updated Jan 18, 2011http://www.brighthub.com/education/college/articles/85962.aspxhttp://www.iie.org/en/Research-and-Publications/~/media/Files/Corporate/Open-Doors/Fast-Facts/Fast%20Facts%202011.ashx
International advisors often have to work with DDS staff regarding international students who face many challenges when applying for a GA driving license.
NAFSA – Association of International Educators (March 2012)http://www.nafsa.org/public_policy.sec/grassroots_advocacy/advocacy_day/
International students from Middle Eastern countries have a difficult time getting student visa’s. Once these students do arrive on their college campuses they may by harassed by local lay enforcement or students on campus, because of the lingering fears from 9/11. Some American students may not be familiar with the dress, food and customs of foreign students and therefore may make comments that are insensitive to international students. As the number of International students increases, some minority and lower socioeconomic students may feel the Asian students are taking their sports in college. Asian students are labeled “brains” their drive and focus may cause resentment from other students and sometimes faculty. Kadison, Richard, M.D. & Digeronimo, Theresa F. (2004) College of the Overwhelmed, The Campus Mental Health Crisis and What To Do About It. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Behavioral Clues that may suggest a student could be in distress:
Understanding stressors of international students in higher education: what college counselors and personnel need to know By: Monique Olivas and Chi-Sing Lihttp://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCG/is_3_33/ai_n17134814/?tag=content;col1
Passport to Success – What to and what not to wear to a job interview.
