Advising International Students Taya Carothers International Student Advisor Mary Ellen Brewick International Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator

International Students 690,923 int’l students in US China (127,628, +29.9%) India (104,897, +1.6%) South Korea (72,153, -3.9%) Canada (28,145, -5.2%) Taiwan (26,685, -4.9%) Chow, P. and Bhandari, R (2010). Open Doors 2010 Report on International Educational Exchange. New York: Institute of International Education.

International Students Undergraduate –China, South Korea, India Graduate –India, China, South Korea Intensive English Program –South Korea, Saudi Arabia, China Chow, P. and Bhandari, R (2010). Open Doors 2010 Report on International Educational Exchange. New York: Institute of International Education.

International Students Primary Source of Funding 61.9%Personal and Family 24.1%U.S. College/University 4.6%Home Gov’t or University Chow, P. and Bhandari, R (2010). Open Doors 2010 Report on International Educational Exchange. New York: Institute of International Education.

Recruitment Word of Mouth –Family, friends, reputation, rankings Educational Agents/Representatives EducationUSA Search engines/websites Placement by sponsor

Admissions Financial Documents –Needed for admission to U.S. –Cover costs of 1 year English Proficiency –ALCP has “academic skills” class for students needing English help

UG Language Requirements TOEFL –Test of English as a Foreign Language –UI: 525 (paper), 70 (internet based test-IBT) –WSU: 550 (paper) or 79 (internet based test-IBT) IELTS –International English Language Testing System –UI: 6.0 –WSU: 6.5

Admissions Visa interview –At US embassy or consulate –Student must be admitted to US school –Must prove financials and desire to return to home country –Stressful for many students –May request letters from department

Registration Cultural differences –Student choice in classes –Face to face advising Confusion –General education –Academic language –Transfers

Terminology Visa categories F-1, J-1, H-1B Exchange vs. International student Documents I-20 DS-2019

International Student Advisor SEVIS Immigration advising Verify enrollment Authorizations Cultural adjustment General concerns

Maintaining a Student Visa Orientation Online course restrictions Academic standing Working Felonies

Working on a Student Visa Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant On Campus vs. Off Campus –OPT –CPT Why these restrictions? –Visa category is “student non immigrant”

Communication Styles Speak slowly and clearly Use written material when possible Try a variety of approaches Check for understanding Cultural Issues –Authority figure –Embarrassed by not understanding

What You Can Do Reach out to international students Work with them face to face Ask about whole life experiences Encourage them to get involved Ask about expectations to avoid misunderstandings Be patient