1. + The Formation of Cross-Cultural Identities of International Students in the United States and its Implications on Academic Success Wafa Alnasser Multidisciplinary Colloquium Conference December 4, 2014

2. + Introduction Background on the status of international students in the United States Results from Other Literature Factors that affect the formation of international students’ cross-cultural identities Effects of different factors on student life Implications on academic success, completion of degrees Recommendations for Further Study Background Results Recom- mendations

3. + Background on International Students in the US Image Source: “Open Doors 2014 International Students Infographic.” Institute of International Education. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic.http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic Background Results Recom- mendations

4. + Background on International Students in the US Image Source: “Open Doors 2014 International Students Infographic.” Institute of International Education. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic.http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic Background Results Recom- mendations

5. + Background on International Students in the US Image Source: “Open Doors 2014 International Students Infographic.” Institute of International Education. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic.http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic Background Results Recom- mendations

6. + Background on International Students in the US Image Source: “Open Doors 2014 International Students Infographic.” Institute of International Education. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic.http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic Background Results Recom- mendations

7. + Background on International Students in the US Image Source: “Open Doors 2014 International Students Infographic.” Institute of International Education. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic.http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic Background Results Recom- mendations

8. + Background on International Students in the US Image Source: “Open Doors 2014 International Students Infographic.” Institute of International Education. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic.http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open- Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic Background Results Recom- mendations

9. + When international students begin their academic training, they experience several factors that challenge their identities. These factors have different effects on one’s academic performance. Some students finish well while others go back to their home countries without a degree. This presentation addresses how these factors of cross-cultural identity formation are identified and categorized. Secondly, it is the purpose of this presentation to show the ways in which each factor affects international students, particularly in the development of their cross-cultural identities. Finally, implications of how the changes in their identities translate to their academic success or failure are presented. English Abstract Background Results Recom- mendations

10. + Arabic Abstract Background Results Recom- mendations عندما يبدأ الطلاب الدوليين التدريب الأكاديمي، واجهت العديد من العوامل التي تتحدى هوياتهم. هذه العوامل لها تأثيرات مختلفة على أداء المرء الأكاديمي. بعض الطلاب الانتهاء بشكل جيد في حين يذهب آخرون إلى بلدانهم دون درجة. دراسة هذه العوامل مهمة في مجال التعليم كما نرى أعدادا متزايدة من الطلاب الأجانب في الولايات المتحدة. ويتناول هذا العرض كيف يتم تحديد هذه العوامل من تشكيل الهوية بين الثقافات وتصنيفها. وثانيا، هو الغرض من هذا العرض لإظهار الطرق التي يؤثر كل عامل الطلاب الدوليين، وخاصة في مجال تطوير هويات عبر الثقافية. وأخيرا، وتعرض الآثار المترتبة على كيف أن التغيرات في هوياتهم تترجم إلى النجاح الأكاديمي أو الفشل.

11. + What are the factors that affect the formation of international students’ cultural identity? What effects do these factors have on their lives as students? How do these effects translate to their success or failure in their academic pursuits? Research Questions? Background Results Recom- mendations

12. + Factors Affecting the Formation of International Students’ Identity Cross- Cultural Identity Academic Pressure Financial Stress Homesickness Perceived Discrimination Social Dis- connectedness Culture Shock Background Recom- mendations Baba, Y., & Hosoda, M. (2014). Home away home: Better understanding of the role of social support in predicting cross-cultural adjustment among international students. College Student Journal, 48(1), 1-15.

13. + Effects on Cross-Cultural Identity >> Psychological Adjustment Pre-exposureExposureEnclosureEmergenceIntegrationInternationalization Background Recom- mendations Kim, E. (2012). An alternative theoretical model: Examining psychosocial identity development of international students in the United States. College Student Journal, 46(1), 99-113.

14. + Effects on Cross-Cultural Identity >> Socio-Cultural Adaptation Cultural Learning Acquisition of Social Skills Background Recom- mendations Habib, L., Johannesen, M., & Øgrim, L. (2014). Experiences and challenges of international students in technology-rich learning environments. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 17(2), 196- 206.

15. + Implications for Academic Success/Failure Social Support Networks Perceived Discrimination Background Recom- mendations Karuppan, C. M., & Barari, M. (2011). Perceived discrimination and international students' learning: an empirical investigation. Journal Of Higher Education Policy & Management, 33(1), 67-83. doi:10.1080/1360080X.2011.537013

16. + Recommendations for Further Study Ways in which potential international students can prepare to be better integrated to the new environment How long it typically takes for a student to become well-adjusted psychologically and socio-culturally What communities can do in order to decrease moments of discrimination of international students Background Results

17. + Conclusion Steps for better integration Measures to be taken by US colleges and universities take to help address the challenges faced by international students Governmental policies that need to be put forward or changed in order to address the needs of international students Background Results

18. References Baba, Y., & Hosoda, M. (2014). Home away home: Better understanding of the role of social support in predicting cross-cultural adjustment among international students. College Student Journal, 48(1), 1-15. Fincher, R. (2011). Cosmopolitan or ethnically identified selves? Institutional expectations and the negotiated identities of international students. Social & Cultural Geography, 12(8), 905-927. doi:10.1080/14649365.2011.624193 Habib, L., Johannesen, M., & Øgrim, L. (2014). Experiences and challenges of international students in technology-rich learning environments. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 17(2), 196-206. Karuppan, C. M., & Barari, M. (2011). Perceived discrimination and international students' learning: an empirical investigation. Journal Of Higher Education Policy & Management, 33(1), 67-83. doi:10.1080/1360080X.2011.537013 Kim, E. (2012). An alternative theoretical model: Examining psychosocial identity development of international students in the United States. College Student Journal, 46(1), 99-113. Kwon, Y. (2009). Factors affecting international students' transition to higher education institutions in the United States: From the perspective of Office of International Students. College Student Journal, 43(4), 1020-1036. Rienties, B., Beausaert, S., Grohnert, T., Niemantsverdriet, S., & Kommers, P. (2012). Understanding academic performance of international students: the role of ethnicity, academic and social integration. Higher Education, 63(6), 685-700. doi:10.1007/s10734-011-9468-1. Sherry, M., Thomas, P., & Wing Hong, C. (2010). International students: a vulnerable student population. Higher Education, 60(1), 33-46. doi:10.1007/s10734-009-9284-z