scholarly journals The Relation of an International Student Center’s Orientation Training Sessions with International Students’ Achievement and Integration to University

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 843-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meltem Acar Güvendir
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Factor Scores ◽  
Institutional Integration ◽  
American University ◽  
Orientation Training ◽  
Graduate International Students

The purpose of the research is to examine the relation of orientation training sessions with integration and achievement of the international students. The study used the Institutional Integration Scales, developed by Pascarella and Terenzini (1980), to examine the integration level of the international students. 181 freshmen undergraduate and graduate international students who study at an American university filled out the scales in June 2015. According to the results, the scale’s factor scores vary depending on the frequency of using the center. The students’ GPA scores did not vary with regard to whether the students benefited from the center frequently or not. The study findings show that the frequency of using the center is important on integration to university.

Place-making and Its Impact on International Graduate Student Persistence

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-80
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Terrazas-Carrillo ◽  
Ji Y. Hong ◽  
Paula T. McWhirter ◽  
Rockey Robbins ◽  
Terry M. Pace
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Student Persistence ◽  
International Student ◽  
Place Making ◽  
American University ◽  
International Graduate ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Graduate International Students ◽  
The Impact

This study explored the impact of place-making activities on the persistence of graduate international students at an American university. Sixteen international graduate students over the age of 18, attending an American university and living in the community for at least 1 year, participated in an in-depth interview about their experiences of places in the Midwestern state where they are currently enrolled as students. The study used a qualitative research method with the goal of uncovering the unique experiences of the participants. The study results indicate that international students benefit from having access to a combination of places that foster growth, social interaction, restoration, and safety. This research contributes to the knowledge of factors impacting international student persistence in graduate education. Results are discussed in the context of strategies that universities can implement to facilitate adjustment among their graduate international students.

Comparison of Health Status of International and American University Students: Implications for Health Education

1989 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Adeyanju ◽  
Ray Tricker ◽  
Rita Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Status ◽  
International Students ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
International Student ◽  
Health Locus Of Control ◽  
Student Health ◽  
American University

The study examined the differences between a sample of 311 international and 251 American university students relative to their self-perceived health status, health attitudes, behaviors, and locus of control using the International Student Health Inventory (ISHI). More specifically, the study compared demographics, current health history, health care obtained by students within the university milieu, health locus of control, wellness attitudes and behaviors. The study addressed the rationale for student health care professionals to improve health services for the international students. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that sociocultural (external) and self-perceived (internal) stressors may influence both groups' health status and care. American students experienced more common minor stress-related illnesses/ailments than international students. Both groups indicated they functioned more from an internal health locus of control. Healthiest and poorest wellness attitudes were reported by the international male and American male students respectively. No observed differences were noticed on the groups' wellness behaviors.

scholarly journals A New Conceptual Model for Understanding International Students’ College Needs

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 920-932
Author(s):  
Eyad Alfattal
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
International Student ◽  
The United States ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Model Program ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Graduate International Students ◽  
Promotion Process ◽  
Phenomenological Design

 This study concerns the theory and practice of international marketing in higher education with the purpose of exploring a conceptual model for understanding international students’ needs in the context of a four-year college in the United States. A transcendental phenomenological design was employed to investigate the essence of international students’ needs within their study experiences and explore a conceptual model that can explain these needs. Qualitative data were collected from 12 undergraduate and graduate international students through semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, findings expand typical marketing mix frameworks and advance an eight-dimensional international student needs model: Program, Place, Price, Promotion, Process, People, Physical Facility, and Peace. 

scholarly journals A model of the factors affecting international postgraduate students’ pursuit of degrees: A case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69
Author(s):  
Desmond Wesley Govender ◽  
Sujit Kumar Basak
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Stress Accommodation ◽  
Graduate International Students ◽  
University Experience ◽  
Academic Degrees

The aim of this paper is to present a model of the factors affecting international students’ pursuit of their academic degrees in tertiary institutions. This was achieved by identifying factors that commonly affect international postgraduate students. This was a questionnaire based case study with a sample of 24 post-graduate international students from one university in KwaZulu-Natal. Questionnaires were analysed using SPSS (version 21.0) and WarpPLS (4.0). WarpPLS (4.0) was used to draw up a statistically based model regarding the factors affecting international students in pursuit of their academic degrees. Results from the model show that financial stress, accommodation challenges, cultural shock, loneliness/homesick, communication skills and evaluation of their (previous) university experience affect students in their pursuit of their academic degrees in higher education. These findings could be used by students themselves to make them aware of possible challenges that lie ahead as well as by staff in international student offices at higher education institutions.

Picture This: A Photovoice Study Of International Students’ Food Experience in Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Amos ◽  
Daphne Lordly
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
International Student ◽  
Culture Shock ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Canadian Universities ◽  
Food Experience ◽  
International University

Purpose: International student enrolment in Canadian universities is increasing. As international university students acculturate, they experience a culture shock in which food plays a major role. International university students’ Canadian food experiences therefore were explored. Methods: A Photovoice methodology was used with 15 international undergraduate and graduate university students, who were recruited to take pictures of their food experiences. They also participated in two focus group discussions that included an analysis of their photos. Results: Seven themes related to the significance of food in acculturation were revealed: the paradox of Canadian convenience, the equation of traditional foods with health, traditional food quality and accessibility, support networks, food consumption for comfort, ethnic restaurants, and the exploration of non-traditional foods. Maintaining cultural identity with traditional foods was an overarching theme related to acculturation. Conclusions: International students acculturating to Canada have emotional and physical needs, which can be met through food. Opportunities exist to improve their acculturation experiences. Canadian universities can incorporate food acculturation strategies into campus events and menus. Nutrition professionals on campus can facilitate a positive food environment and nurture culture identity formation.

scholarly journals International Students’ Perceptions of Workplace Experiences in Australian Study Programs: A Large-Scale Survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Barton ◽  
Kay Hartwig ◽  
Anh Hai Le
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
International Student ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Workplace Experiences ◽  
Workplace Experience ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
Study Programs ◽  
Large Scale Survey ◽  
Work Integrated Learning

Across the globe, there are increased numbers of students undertaking university-level study in foreign countries. Many of the programs they enroll in include a workplace experience (also known as work integrated learning, internship, and/or practicum). The Work Placement for International Student Programs (WISP) project was conducted across Australia and aimed to identify current practices related to international students’ workplace experiences as well as develop resources to improve these experiences overall. This article focuses on an Australian large-scale survey ( n = 252) designed to explore international students perceptions of workplace experiences. Results showed that students rated overall workplace experience highly; however, their confidence in completing assessment items where reflection and self-evaluation were required was a concern. Students also rated self-perception of employability as uncertain despite having positive experiences in the workplace context. Findings showed that there is a need for universities to better support international students in completing reflective and self-evaluative assessment. In addition, more work needs to be done to improve confidence levels of international students around employability.

scholarly journals The role of international student interactions in English as a lingua franca in L2 acquisition, L2 motivational development and intercultural learning during study abroad

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-517
Author(s):  
Gianna Hessel
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Student ◽  
L2 Acquisition ◽  
Intercultural Learning ◽  
Lingua Franca ◽  
Student Interactions ◽  
European Universities ◽  
Intercultural Interactions ◽  
The Uk

Crossing borders features prominently as a theme in study abroad, not only in terms of students’ physical border crossings but also in their intercultural interactions with second language (L2) speakers whose background (linguistic and otherwise) they may perceive as markedly different from their own. Researchers have had a long-standing interest in study abroad participants’ interactions with other L2 speakers abroad for their perceived potential to enhance L2 development, L2 motivation and intercultural learning processes. The focus of existing studies in this area has been on the interactions of study abroad participants with host national students, while their interactions with other international students who are also L2 users abroad have received far less attention, despite the ever-growing international student populations at European universities. This study examined students’ views regarding the role that lingua franca (LF) interactions with other international students played in their L2 acquisition, their L2 motivational development and their intercultural learning during study abroad. The data were derived from an empirical study that involved 81 German ERASMUS students who were studying in the UK for up to one academic year. The students’ views were elicited at the end of their stay with open-ended questionnaire items, and their verbal responses were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The analysis of the students’ reflections revealed a number of functions in each of the three areas, highlighting the potential of international student interactions as a viable source of L2 acquisition, L2 self-motivation, and intercultural learning during study abroad.

scholarly journals International Student Experience at US Community Colleges at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Whatley
Keyword(s):  
Community College ◽  
Community Colleges ◽  
International Students ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
International Student ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
College Leaders ◽  
Residency Status ◽  
The Impact

This study’s purpose is to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international students who were studying at US community colleges at the onset of this public health crisis. While previous work has explored the impact of the pandemic on international students generally, we argue that community college international students deserve focused attention due to their potentially marginalized status on their campuses. Using a mixed-methods research approach, we analyze survey and focus group data provided by 17 randomly-selected community college educators. Our results speak to two overarching themes: the supports provided to students at the onset of the pandemic (and educators reasons for providing these specific supports) and the unique impact of the pandemic on community college international students due to their citizenship or residency status. These findings have important implications for community college leaders and international educators as they work with international students during future times of crisis.

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