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International students: Best practices for recruitment, admission, and integration. Bessy Bennellick Director of Study Abroad Saint Vincent College February 3, 2013. Core values of benedictinism. Respect for the unique person & talents of every student Hospitality
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International students: Best practices for recruitment, admission, and integration Bessy Bennellick Director of Study Abroad Saint Vincent College February 3, 2013
Core values of benedictinism • Respect for the unique person & talents of every student • Hospitality • Commitment to a concept of community • Care & concern for each individual
Integrating students into campus life • Orientation & Student Affairs • Support from: residence life, student affairs, dining services • Academic • Support from Faculty, academic advisors & registrar’s office • Students role in campus integration
Residence life & dining services • Reach out to residence life early • Consider dietary needs of students from other cultures • Roommates • Resident hall staff
International student orientation • Airport pickup • Two or three day orientation program • Set the tone • Pragmatic, academic, & social
Extended orientation (5 weeks): required for international students & all first year students • International Student orientation • Welcome weekend • Residence Life orientation • Club Fair • Campus Life – start a new club • Activity Programming Board • Campus Ministry • Student Government • Service Learning • Social Activities with Student Life • Participate in weekend trips offered by College • Intramural sports
OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED • Study Abroad peer advisor • Foreign Language tutor • Classroom presentations • Culture fairs
Academic integration • Involve faculty advisors in orientation • Sample lecture during orientation • Discuss student-advisor role during orientation • Feedback from faculty during the semester
Topics during academic orientation • Overview of US higher education • Teaching methods • Review sample syllabi • List expectations in a classroom • Meeting with students and their faculty advisor
Student’s role in campus integration • Be willing to get involved in & out of the classroom • Be patient and have realistic expectations • Ask questions • Challenge yourself • Understand culture shock and that it takes time to adjust to a new culture
Resource for studentsPre-departure orientation for Chinese students Sample chapter contents: ACADEMICS U.S. academic system Cultural foundations Daily operations Decentralization Teacher’s role Student’s role Teacher-student relations Student-student relations What happens in classes What happens outside of classes The educational bureaucracy A summary Challenging aspects Special concerns Chapters: FIRST THINGS FIRST IMPROVING ENGLISH ACADEMICS CULTURE MATTERS SOCIAL LIFE HEALTH & SAFETY RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES RESOURCES
When issues arise: • What do you do when an international student • is performing poorly in class? • is caught plagiarizing? • is unhappy with their living arrangements? • is homesick and/or not adjusting well?