Working with International Students. Christina Bi Chen, International Student Advisor Office of International Students, Fenwick 204

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1 Working with International Students Christina Bi Chen, International Student Advisor Office of International Students, Fenwick 204

2 National Context Long history of educating foreign students Executive Orders and Travel Bans Decrease in foreign student interest, applications Intense vetting of visa candidates Longer processing times Lottery for H-1 (work) visas Anti-immigrant and refugee assistance Racially/ethnically targeted violence

3 Is it still safe in the U.S. for international students? Will I be comfortable and welcome? Will I still be able to find opportunities to pursue an internship? Will I have difficulty getting a visa or entering the country? Jessica Sandberg, Director of International Admissions, Temple Univ. Founder of the #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign

4 At Holy Cross Measured approach to international admissions Community enrichment Social justice Faculty and curriculum Skills for a globalized economy Need to improve our communication across lines of difference

5 Who is an international student? Officially: F-1 and J-1 visa holders International Student Advisor / OIS DHS certifies the College Gateways International Student Orientation They hold NON-immigrant status In practice: Dual citizens, US citizens living abroad Permanent residents ( green card holders) Families may have special status

6 Who are our visa students? Must prove they have financial resources Some have athletic scholarships 3 currently have full sponsorship by their former high schools, benefactors, and Holy Cross About 1/3 studied in the US for at least 2 years of high school before coming to Holy Cross 73 active students as of May 1, graduated (4 to grad school, 4 working in the US) 2 are transferring 34 in-coming students (2 exchange students)

7 Who are our visa students? Canadian hockey player majoring in CHEM Chinese RELS major studying German Peruvian ANTH/ENVS major who did SFS in Tanzania Japanese PSYC major who plays jazz trumpet Nigerian ECON major studying in the UK Korean ACCT major hired by a Big Four firm

8 Austria Bosnia-Herzogovenia Brazil Canada China Germany Greece Hong Kong Japan The Netherlands Nigeria Peru Poland Rwanda Somaliland South Korea Spain Taiwan

9 Academic Experiences Many are ELL Intro. and Intermed. Academic Writing Writing Center professional ELL tutor Reading assignments take a LONG time Nervous about class participation Follow your passion may not be realistic Majors (not minors) dictate US internship and job options Families may have no experience with liberal arts

10 Experiences beyond the classroom Navigating social life in the U.S. and Holy Cross alcohol fake enthusiasm or friendship concerns about gun violence roommates US pop cultural references, slang Feeling homesick and missing familiar food Where to go for school vacations? Being seen as students of color /ALANA

11 What experiences have you had with our visa students?

12 How can faculty help our visa students have an excellent experience? Hold them to high academic standards Remember that their oral English may stronger than their reading or writing in English Support their development as class participants Take time to clarify academic expectations, especially around plagiarism and academic integrity They must be full-time students so critical to communicate academic concerns promptly

13 How can faculty help our visa students have an excellent experience? Ask by what name they would like you to call them (and how to pronounce it) Help them identify ways to connect majors with experiential learning that is directly related Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM Extension for 2 additional years Extend a personal welcome Coffee or a meal Study break or visit to your home

14 Questions, concerns, suggestions? ,