International Students There are 2,217 International Students at Kent State University from 99 Countries Do you think they ever get homesick? Do you think they ever get frustrated? Do you think that they ever feel threatened? Do you think they might sometimes feel alone and isolated?

Threats to International Students When the international student leaves home they are leaving their most crucial support systems behind Friends Family Structures Student Student Language Routines

Threats to International Students The International Student Faces: One of the greatest threats to an international student is the psychological adjustment needed that can define the students’ higher education experience. The International Student Faces: Psychological Issues Sociological Attitudes Physical Demands Academic Issues Safety Threats Dietary Threats Residential Issues

Threats to International Students The most common psychological issues faced by the International Student are the challenges of: Homesickness Loneliness Depression Stress anxiety Alienation Isolation Loss of identity Status Self-value (Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19)

Threats to International Students Other factors that threaten the psychological transition period are the students’ initial reactions to: Fatigue from a Long Flight Time Difference Adjustment Immigration Procedures at Port of Entry into US These unfamiliar surroundings can lead to: Feelings of Helplessness Feelings of Hopelessness Depression and Despair Adverse Physical Symptoms

Threats to International Students Adverse Physical Effects Loss of Appetite Sleeplessness Gastrointestinal Problems Low Stamina Low Energy Headaches The Negative Physical Effects can: Wreak Havoc on Sustaining Focus Lead to Poor Performance of Course Work Harm Overall Quality of Life Prevent Acculturation to American Society The prevention and support to curtail the negative psychological aspects needs to begin before the student arrives on campus. (Bahvala, 2002; Tator & Horenczyck, 2000; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p. 19).

Threats to International Students To reduce any and all of these Psychological and Physical challenges can have a very positive impact on: The Student Their Family Their Friends

Reducing Threats by Taking Action! For Family connection Reducing Threats by Taking Action! The length of the psychological transition will be based on the students’: Overall Condition Proficiency of English Previous Experiences with Cultural Adjustments Support Systems of Family and Friends Self-Beliefs Support Systems Available at their University (Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19)

Taking Action to Reduce Language Barriers Students need to have a proficient knowledge of the English language their families do not! KSU will have a more visible role towards increasing the positive feelings and perceptions towards the international student and their families by providing the ability to convert the English designed website into other languages at the click of a button. This KSU website option will show, not tell, that there is a strong effort being made to reduce language barriers and increase family and friend support from home.

This page becomes… With one click 給KSU 純文字版 地圖 我肯特州立 電話簿 e的登錄 中國的 卓越的行動 指數 站內搜索KENT.edu 關於 學者 入學及學生資助 學生生活 田徑運動 新聞與活動 研究 校園 全球教育辦公室 國際招生 This page becomes… With one click 國際學生學者服務 家庭 ＆ 朋友 連接 國際倡議 國際教育週 請經常訪問的視頻更新 家 急 信息 招聘信息 對於媒體 純文字版 手機網站 作為俄亥俄州的大學之一，肯特州立提供的資源和設施的一所大學，一所文科大學與友好，輕鬆的氛圍。報名今天開始追求自己的未來在俄亥俄州最好的大學之一。我們教育成功的畢業生超過100年，今天就加入我們的行列。？ 版權所有2012 肯特州立大學 俄亥俄州肯特44242 電話：011-330-672-3000

Taking Action to Reduce Start Building Relationships Language Barriers & Start Building Relationships More than one in three foreign students said they have no close U.S. friends, and many said they wish they had more meaningful, relationships with Americans. (Gareis, 2012) The Kent Connection Program is designed to match volunteer U.S. students with international students who would like to learn more about American culture and the nuances of the English language through one-on-one conversations. One-hour weekly meetings will be held at a convenient time in a safe, secure place on campus to allow for great conversation, deeper appreciation for cultural differences, and to develop friendships that will last a lifetime.

Taking Action to Build Relationships By increasing the international students’ inclusion and acceptance rate into domestic student organizations can have a profound effect on key aspects of privilege that can lead to avoidance, exclusion, and rejection from engagement with others. (Johnson, 2006, p.55) Inclusion Acceptance Belonging

Taking Action to Build Relationships For friends Taking Action to Build Relationships The KSU website will be updated with new web pages filled with international student video stories in English and their native language. The video chronicles will include information on the international student’s: Country Language Area of Study Personal Experiences at KSU Likes and Dislikes How they like Kent, Ohio Interesting Facts

Taking Action to Reduce Discrimination Unintentional Discrimination Purposeful, Hurtful, and WRONG! Unintentional Discrimination happens out of lack of understanding!

Taking Action to Reduce Discrimination Looks like this at Michigan State University in Ann Arbor, MI

Webpage space will be provided to promote similar messages of anti-discrimination messages As developed by Michigan State University through the Kent State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion & the Office of Global Education to Increase Awareness Increase Understanding Promote Relationships

Taking Action to Build Relationships, Increase Understanding, and Promoting Awareness Looks like this at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RYJXPPjbBzg http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UShjGMMpepk

Take Action! Don’t be silent! Say “Hi!” to the person who sounds and looks different than you. Involve yourself in a small group project with someone who is from a land far away. Get educated about a culture you have only heard about or never heard of before. Be mindful of what you are saying to someone who does not have the same background as you! Stand up and confront those who speak without knowledge or understanding!

References Bahvala,A., (2002). Common stressors for international students in the U.S.A. Retrieved July 3, 2005 by Harper, S. and Quaye, S.J. from the Alumni Internet Access and Training Program website: http://alumni.iatp.org.au/publications From Jinan to Columbus: Finding home retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB1_NhH06Kk Gareis, E. (2012). Journal of International and Intercultural Communication-Intercultural Friendship: Effects of Home and Host Region. DOI: 10.1080/17513057.2012.691525 Harper, S. and Quaye, S.J. (2009). Student Engagement in Higher Education, (p.19). Routledge: New York. Johnson, A. (2006). Privilege, power, and difference, 2nd ed. (p. 55). New York: McGraw Hill. Learning about myself and the world at Ohio State retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UShjGMMpepk Making Our Voices Heard – An International Student Forum retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sv5SZB_CE1E Michigan State University, 2012. Images retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://ocat.msu.edu/contact-us/our-msu-our-voices-our-struggles-our-solutions

References My checklist for an unforgettable experience at Ohio State retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RYJXPPjbBzg Ohio State University Logo, 2012. Retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.greengarageblog.org/2011/11/21/the-ohio-state-team-says-let-the-tough-work-begin/ohio-state-logo/ Smiley welcome image retrieved on December 2, 2012 from punkrockers.com. Tator, M. & Horenczyck, G. (2000). Counseling Students on the move: The effects of culture or origin and performance of relocation among international college students. Journal of College Counseling, 3(1), 49-62. Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19 Tseng, W. & Newton, F.B. (2002). International students’ strategies for well-being. College Student Journal, 36 (4), 591-597