College Experiences of Domestic and International Transfer Students to the University of Michigan

1. College Experiences of Domestic and International Transfer Students to the University of Michigan By: Monica Singh Research Sponsor: Dr. Jennifer Yim of Global Scholars

2. Abstract Students transferring from one college to another have distinctive experiences throughout the process both socially and academically. This study aims to examine how these experiences vary between domestic and international transfer students at the University of Michigan in two parts. This study will bring more attention to the experiences of transfer students and what can be done to strengthen their transition between institutions. These voices will enrich the experiences of all University of Michigan students in their pursuit for a balanced, liberal, and diverse undergraduate career.

3. Objectives To study the differences between the experiences of International and U.S. transfer students To study the positive or negative experiences of the transferring process To obtain suggestions to make transferring a smoother process and to help integrate transfer students better to campus. The Office of New Student Programs Global Scholar�s Program

4. Hypothesis Transferring and adapting to the University of Michigan campus is more challenging for international students when compared to domestic students.

5. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews N = 5 Interview transcription Literature Review Materials include: audio tape recorder and transcribing machine

6. Participants Domestic Transfer Students Kellie - Female; Senior; Biology Jessie - Female; Senior; Psychology with Global Media Studies Minor Gabriel - Male; Sophomore; Classical Civilizations International Transfer Students Allan - Male; Junior; Economics Grace - Female; Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Sciences

7. Results Domestic transfer student thoughts on international transfer students Transferring for international students more difficult because of adaptation to a foreign college campus Finding the right social niches Suggestions on how to improve the transfer process Academic Advising Campus Resources Transfer Orientation Opportunity to talk with other transfer students Need for an interpreter

8. Transferring for International Students is much more challenging compared to U.S. transfer students �In that case, I would say, I mean personally like if I would have to imagine, like depending on what country I am coming from, I would imagine that it is much more difficult for international student. Because then you have culture shock and stuff like that, and I think that would be more difficult getting used to another culture� - Jessie, Oakland University

9. Results Positive Experiences Transfer orientation Have adapted to campus well now Happy to be here Negative Experiences Loss of credits Communication barrier Academics are much more challenging Finding the right social niche Executive positions in student organizations

10. A positive experience was transfer orientation �I loved when I first came here. I loved how orientation was organized. I liked that it was only a day for transfer students. I thought that was very good. And it was interesting process because like I said, I wasn�t really familiar with campus so and I had pretty low expectations coming from Florida State and so I actually I thought it was actually a really good experience transferring here.� -Kellie, Florida State

11. Michigan Pride and happy to be here �I survived, made friends, and actually started to like everything. And, academically, the United States of America is a very wealthy country which provides a lot more resources than other counties could offer.� - Grace, National Cheng-Chi University

12. A difficult time finding resources on campus and communicating with administrative offices �I would say it is fifty-fifty. A lot of the times I can�t find what I'm looking for, if I'm looking for it online or on the websites that�s pertinent to Michigan. A lot of times, its very easy, so if I don�t have a problem finding it online, unfortunately it�s usually the other way around and if I find it online, I can�t find it physically somewhere. Or if I do go somewhere, it�s like jumping through hoops like the administration offices , which has been the worst time, like having to run around and send more information and submit more information and I�ve already submitted.� - Gabriel, Case Western

13. Loss of credits and communication barrier �I had 120 credits at my University in China. I came here and lost 60 credits, but it was worth it because I transferred to such a prestigious University. For an international student like myself, we transfer to the US colleges not only for a better college education or get a degree; moreover, we want to know more about American culture and really "get into" this society. Despite this, I had trouble communicating on campus and had to take a rigorous English class my first semester here, which helped me a lot.� - Allan, Beijing, China

14. Reflection My experiences as a Domestic Transfer Student at the University of Michigan

15. Future Directions More interviews Quantitative survey study Involve transfer students into the Global Scholars Program in Residence Use results to better integrate transfer students (e.g., ONSP)

16. Conclusion Hypothesis was supported Agree that international transfer students have a more difficult time transitioning Transfer students had more positive than negative experiences Interviewees have grown and are very motivated as transfer students

17. Advice for the future �Don�t give up when the first few months or even the first year sucks. It will get better if you want it to. And make friends. But never lose contact with friends from home. You will survive.� - Grace