1. Dr. Lauren G. Bent Assistant Dean of Campus Life and Director of International Programs International Education and Career Development

2. Learning Outcomes  Understand international student trends in U.S. higher education  Identify the benefits of hiring international students and graduates  Become familiar with basic employment authorization of international students and graduates  Examine trends in study abroad and implications for career practitioners  Learn about internationalization initiatives at Merrimack College

3. Definition of Terms  International Students:  are seeking a degree or studying abroad at Merrimack College; AND  were not born in the United States and are not a U.S. citizen; OR  do not have a green card granting permanent residency (i.e. resident aliens).  F1 students: seeking a degree at Merrimack College  J-1 students: studying abroad at Merrimack College.  SEVIS: Student Exchange and Visitor Information System

4. Definition of Terms Employment is any type of work performed for services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. If a student receives no pay or other benefit for the work performed, this activity is not generally defined as employment and may be considered to be volunteer work. However, a student may not work without payment for a job that would otherwise be paid to someone else. (Retrieved from Babson College)

5. International Student Trends in U.S. Higher Education  228,467 new international students studied in U.S. colleges and universities in the 2011-2012 academic year.  New international student enrollment- students enrolling for the first time at a U.S. institution in fall 2011- increased 6.5% over the previous year.  764,495 international students in U.S. colleges- 3.7% of students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities are international.  Last year, Merrimack hosted 163 international students (7.5% of student population) (Information retrieved from Open Doors (2012) Institute of International Education)

6. Top 10 Places of Origin  China: 25.4%  India: 13.1%  South Korea: 9.5%  Saudi Arabia: 4.5%  Canada: 3.5%  Taiwan: 3.0%  Japan: 2.6%  Vietnam:2.0%  Mexico: 1.8%  Turkey: 1.6%

7. Top U.S. States hosting international students  California: 6.5% increase  New York: 4.5% increase  Texas: 0.2% decrease  Massachusetts: 6.6% increase  Illinois: 6.4% increase  Pennsylvania: 9.5% increase  Florida: 9.6% increase  Ohio: 7.0% increase  Michigan: 3.6% increase  Indiana: 10.4% increase

8. Top Fields of Study  Business and Management: 21.8%  Engineering: 18.5%  Math and Computer Science: 9.3%  Social Sciences: 8.7%  Physical and Life Sciences: 8.6%  Fine and Applied Arts: 5.5%  Intensive English: 5.1%  Health Professions: 3.9%  Education: 2.2%  Humanities: 2.1%  Agriculture: 1.4%  Other Fields of Study: 10.1%  Undeclared: 2.9%

9. Benefits of Hiring International Students To compete in a global economy, businesses need global talent.  International candidates speak the language of the countries where organizations are doing business or seeking new opportunities for growth.  Because it can be difficult for employees on a work visa to change jobs, international employees are less likely to leave unexpectedly. This lowers your costs for talent recruitment in the long-term while also creating loyalty among your employees. (Retrieved from Dartmouth College)

10. Benefits of Hiring International Students  They bring valuable new perspectives and problem-solving skills to the way companies do business.

11. Benefits of Hiring International Students  International students who want to study and work in the US or another foreign country have tremendous adaptability and perseverance. They are accustomed to managing change after having to adjust to another part of the world with different customs and a different way of life.  If an international student has a specialized skill set or range of global experiences that the employer desires, he or she may be a better fit for the position than available US candidates.  International employees make it easier for companies to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

12. Employment Authorization for F-1 International Students Curricular Practical Training (CPT)  Must relate to student’s major and the experience must be part of the program of study. If the experience is not required, the student must be earning credit for it.  Students must have been enrolled full-time and in good academic standing for one academic year; graduate students may begin CPT during their first semester if their academic program requires this type of experience.  CPT may be either full-time or part-time (less than 20 hours per week); If a student completes 12 months or more of full- time CPT, he/she is ineligible for OPT, however part-time CPT will not prohibit students from engaging in OPT. (Information retrieved from www.ice/gov.sevis)

13. Employment Authorization for F-1 International Students Optional Practical Training (OPT)  OPT must relate to student’s major or course of study.  Student may apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level; 17-month extension is available for students in STEM majors.  Student must apply for work authorization by electronically filing a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and paying a filing fee ($380).

14. Employment Authorization for F-1 International Students  Student must work with a Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of International Programs to apply for OPT; paperwork must be submitted to USCIS no more than 90 days before program end date.  Start date must be no more than 60 days after program end date.  Student may be unemployed for no more than 90 days of the 12 months under OPT.

15. Employment Authorization for J-1 International Students* Academic Training (AT)  Must relate to student’s major and the experience must be part of the program of study. If the experience is not required, the student must be earning credit for it.  The maximum period of AT that can be authorized is 18 months, but it cannot be longer than the total length of student’s program of academic study (i.e. if a student is enrolled in a 4 month program he/she would be eligible for a 4 month period of AT).  Ro be eligible, students must be enrolled full-time; be in good academic standing; obtain a specific offer of employment that is directly related to their field of study; and be recommended by an Academic Advisor for specific training.

16. Initiatives at Merrimack College Internationalization Leadership Team: Comprehensive Internationalization  Goal 1: Ensure the development of international, multicultural, and multilingual competencies among all constituents of the Merrimack College community.  Goal 2: Increase the number of international students at Merrimack College while creating a welcoming and supportive infrastructure to promote their integration, persistence, and success.  Goal 3: Increase student participation in meaningful off-campus and/or study abroad programs in which students are appropriately challenged and supported through immersion experiences.  Goal 4: Develop a sophisticated organizational structure with comprehensive policies and procedures to manage college-wide international, multicultural, and multilingual affairs.

17. Welcome Dinner Errands (Shopping, cell phones, bank accounts, etc.) SEVIS and Community Standards Sessions Day trip to Boston Academic Orientation for International Students Merge into new student orientation NEW! First Year Experience for International Students International Student Arrival and Orientation

18. Social and Cultural Events  International Assistant Program  World Peers student organization  Thanksgiving for International Students  Thanksgiving Host family program  Global Trivia  Global Village  International Tea  Leadership Roles

19. U.S. Study Abroad Trends  9.1% of undergraduate students studied abroad in 2010- 11 (total=273,996)  9.2% of study abroad students participated in internship or work abroad programs.  Program Duration  Long-term: 3.9%  Mid-length: 38%  Short-term: 58.1%  64.4% female/35.6% male  Asian/Hispanic/African American population in study abroad is collectively less than 23%. (Information retrieved from Open Doors [2012] Institute of International Education)

20. Top Destinations 1. United Kingdom 2. Italy 3. Spain 4. France 5. China 6. Australia 7. Germany 8. Costa Rica 9. Ireland 10. Argentina

21. Top Fields of Study 1. Social Sciences 2. Business 3. Humanities 4. Fine or Applied Arts 5. Physical and Life Sciences 6. Foreign Languages 7. Health Sciences 8. Education 9. Engineering 10. Math/Computer Science

22. Study Abroad at Merrimack College

23. Study Abroad  www.merrimack.edu/studyabroad www.merrimack.edu/studyabroad  In 2012-13, 18% of Merrimack students studied abroad.  Students in all majors are encouraged to study abroad.  Short-term programs led by Merrimack faculty  Students may go abroad during any year  “Pellegrinaggio” (Italy); “Summer Session in San Gimignano” (Italy); “Summer Session in Wroxton” (England); “Writing through War & Peace” (Ireland)  Semester and full-year programs  Students typically study abroad in their junior year  Australia; Argentina; China; England; France; Greece; Ireland; Italy; and Spain  Improved access to international education

24. Study Abroad and Career Development  Problem: Students often struggle to put words to their experiences and fail to “give meaning to their experiences in a way that employers could identify” (Collegiate Employment Research Institute, CERI, 2008, p.4).  Opportunities/Solutions:  Study Abroad Re-entry conference  Telling Stories: Exploring and Maximizing the Study Abroad Experience  International Career Symposium  “Going Global”  Career Development workshop for study abroad returnees  Suggestions by Chapman (2012)

25. Wrap-up/Discussion Thank you! Questions? bentl@merrimack.edu