1. OISS: Bridging Culture, Bridging Understanding Presented by: Adria L. Baker, Ed.D., Executive Director Lily Lam, M.Ed., LPC, Associate Director Cory Owen, International Student Advisor

2. Who are the internationals at Rice University? The OISS is responsible for tracking, reporting, and providing services for over 1800+ internationals at Rice. This is a 6.5% increase from last year. Overall International Population

3. International Student Enrollment Trends at Rice Expected incoming Undergraduate International Students for Fall 2009 = 105 (85 degree seeking, 20 exchange visitors)

4. Rice International Student Demographics Rice International students represent 82 countries/regions While the largest percent of international students at Rice study in one of the Engineering fields (with Natural Science in second), Architecture, Music, and Business Administration remained almost the same as last year

5. These snapshots illustrate the increase in international undergraduates over the past 10 years by 142% Undergraduate Enrollment at Rice

6. Differences Between Eastern and Western Culture Differences Between Eastern and Western Culture From the website of Matt ArmstrongMatt Armstrong http://mountainrunner.us/2008/01/differences_between_eastern_an.html Sent to Mr. Armstrong by a friend of his in Reuters. The graphics are by a Chinese individual who was raised in Germany. Many are applicable to most non-Western cultures, not just Chinese as intended. Blue --> Westerner Red --> Asian

7. Opinion

8. Contacts

9. Anger

10. Me

11. Party

12. Handling of Problems

13. The Boss

14. Way of Life

15. Course Requirements Dropping below hours (12 credit minimum to be full time) *SEVIS approved below hours justification: Illness or medical condition (requires medical professional letter) Improper course level placement (requires academic advisor letter of support) Initial difficulty with the English Language (requires academic advisor letter of support) Initial difficulty with the reading requirements (requires academic advisor letter of support) To complete course of study in current term (requires academic advisor letter of support) Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods (requires academic advisor letter of support) **Due dates for dropping: New students in their first semester at Rice have until the last day of classes Continuing students must check the course drop deadline in the academic calendar

16. Cultural Adjustment Language barriers Food changes Personal space Religion Social norms Relationship boundaries

17. Employment On campus employment CPT (Curricular Practical Training) OPT (Optional Practical Training) OISS Programming SIR (Spouses of Internationals at Rice) Free ESL Classes REAP International (Rice Experiences Advertised to Prospectives VIP (Valuable International Perspectives) FISS (Friends of International Students & Scholars) IEW (International Education Week) Student Clubs & Organizations School Visits Culture Fair (sponsored by ADVANCE) Other Issues DPS (Department of Public Safety) SSN (Social Security Number) Moving off-campus Miscellaneous Factors for International Students