Breaking the Ice Connecting with International Students Karen McCullough Asst. Director of International Student Services Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Breaking the Ice Connecting with International Students  Why is this important?  How do international students feel when they arrive to study on your campus?  Challenges int’l students face studying in the US  Barriers to friendship  Let’s get started!

Why is this important?  More international students are studying in the US  The world is getting smaller  You may study abroad during your time at college  Your future workplace will be diverse  You can travel the world without leaving your campus

How do international students feel when they arrive on-campus?  Experiences will be different for each international student  Factors affecting experience include:  What country the student is from  How many other int’l students are on your campus  What countries other int’l students on your campus are from  Int’l student previous US study experience  Common emotions int’l students experience include:  Culture shock  Excitement to meet others and explore new surroundings (honeymoon phase)  Confusion, frustration & dissatisfaction  Homesickness, language difficulties, cultural differences

Challenges int’l students face studying in the US  Language differences  Time differences  Time zone difference, cultural differences  Cultural differences  Housing & food, transportation, shopping, independence  Differences in Education System  Group work, critical thinking, class discussions, challenging professors, talking in class, academic integrity  Finances

Barriers to Friendship  Language difficulties  Not a clear understanding of countries/cultures from international or American students  Many Americans get knowledge of other countries through Hollywood, mainstream media; stereotypes  To int’l students, Americans appear unfriendly, independent, already have established groups of friends  Not being open minded  Not getting involved

What do college students have to say?  2012 – Chronicle of Higher Education  2012 survey of over 450 int’l students  38% of int’l students said they had no strong American friendships  27% had three or more close US friends  18% reported two close American friends  17% reported one American friend  Fort Hays State University Students  Brian & Crystal  Michigan State University A conversation with Chinese & American students

What We Can Do! Create Relationships!  Welcome new int’l students to campus  Help with int’l student orientation  Meet & greet students, orientation leaders  Student groups can sponsor events or dinner for int’l students  Take students for tour of campus or city  Make Residence Halls welcoming  Translations for signs/important info.  Explain US customs or provide guides on using restrooms, laundry rooms, water fountains, dining facilities, trash chutes, etc.

 Welcome students with a smile – be friendly!  Let int’l students know it’s ok if their English is not perfect  Slow down when speaking – avoid slang words!  Try not to raise your voice or talk too fast  Use hand gestures or a translator if needed  Programming – Buddy Programs, Friendship Family Program, Conversation Tables, Student Ambassador Programs, Cultural Food Nights, Game Nights  Intramural/Pick-Up games: Soccer, Basketball, Badminton, Ping Pong What We Can Do! Create Relationships!

Let’s Break Some Ice! Introduce Yourself – Go around the circle and tell us your name, what school and country you are from. Where Were You? – On January 1, 2014 Go around the circle, having everyone tell where he or she was at that time, and what they were doing.

Let’s Break Some Ice! Lollipops -- For every letter that appears in the color of your lollipop, each participant has to share something about him/herself with the group. (E.g. “RED: I come from Russia, I like Eggplant, and I DANCE a lot.”) BROWN – 5 Letters = 5 items to share with your group BLUE – 4 Letters = 4 items to share with your group GREEN – 5 Letters = 5 items to share with your group ORANGE – 6 Letters = 6 items to share with your group PURPLE – 6 Letters = 6 items to share with your group RED – 3 Letters = 3 items to share with your group

Questions?