The First Year International Students at the University of Windsor: Perspectives, Expectations, and Experiences G. Zhou, Z. Zhang, G. Liu, & E. Chacon University of Windsor, Canada
This project was funded by CTL/UW Centred on Learning Innovation Fund (CLIF)
The purposes of the study To understand perspectives, expectations, and experiences of the first year international students studying at the university. Particularly on the challenges these students faced in the process of adjustment and strategies they employed to deal with the challenges. 3
Tinto’s Model of Retention Academic integration –GPA –Academic goals Social integration –Contact with staff –Sense of community
Data Collection Survey (online and hardcopy) Focus groups 5
Sample Surveys –64 valid surveys returned –Approximately 18% return rate (out of 350 students) Focus groups –5 focus groups (4 students)
International Students by Origin 2008/09
Demographics: Gender
Demographics: Age range
Demographics: High school
International High School or not
Whether have English-speaking friends
Housing
Roommates
Home Communication
Study place
Weekend
Event Attendance
Personal Contact with Instructors
Contact with Staff
First Resource for Help
Plan after Graduation
Levels of satisfaction with study experience at U Windsor
2008 National Survey of Student Engagement – Summary of NSSE 2008 Results
Feeling about study experience at U Windsor
Confidence for successfully completing program
Recommend UW?
UW as First Choice?
2008 National Survey of Student Engagement – Summary of NSSE 2008 Results
Reasons for coming to Windsor U Windsor has relationship with their schools Close to USA Parents’ choice Having friends studying at U Windsor Interesting programs
Initial difficulties at arrival Finding directions Paper work Food Transportation
Residence issues Noisiness Compulsory meal plan Roommates and neighbors
Perspectives of life in Windsor Boring spare time Reasonable living costs Inconvenient transportation system
Challenges Language –Oral communication –Paper writing Culture –Friend making –Spare time Relationship with other ethnic groups –In group work –With professors and TAs
Learning differences Group work Course demands –More labs in science and engineering –More essay writing in social sciences High school preparation –Not enough training in essay writing –Not enough experiences in group work
International high schools vs. public high schools More comfortable in terms of social life Fewer challenges with adjustment
Suggestions University level –Security –Residence ISC –More practical orientations –Event scheduling
Researchers Contact info Guoqiang (George) Zuochen Guoying (Grace) Liu Enrique