The Main Problem Areas of International University Students: A Qualitative Analysis on Azerbaijan Students

The international student mobility, aiming to create and sustain international integration has been an essential part of the education market in the 21st century. However, while such international student exchange programs contribute to the students and the cities hosting them, they bring along some problems. The aim of this study is to identify the main problem areas that international university students are likely to encounter. By applying the qualitative research method, the phenomenological research design was used in the study since it aims to reveal the problems of students based on their individual experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with the Azerbaijani students studying at Akdeniz University selected as the research sample, which were then descriptively analyzed. The main problems were identified as “economic problems, inability to understand the local language, problems with accommodation, feeling cheated and intimidated, being inexperienced, lack of knowledge about the formal procedures, cultural diversity, lack of support, and exclusion”. The problems regarding finance and accommodation emerged as the most frequently mentioned problems. The main strategies to overcome these problems are also discussed.

Knowledge, attitude, practice and awareness of students on breast self-examination: a cross-sectional study

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths globally. it is the common malignancy in women. Lack of early detection leads to low survival rates. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a screening technique that involves examining the breasts for lumps. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination, among the students.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Noida International University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire, filled by 100 female university students that were selected by convenient sampling method. Descriptive analysis of data was done using SPSS version 17.0 (Chicago USA).Results: Out of the 100 participants 83% were in the age group of 15-25 years, 25% of them had family history of breast cancer, and it was revealed that majority of them (94%) have heard of breast cancer and 85% of them heard of breast examination. Despite the high knowledge that was cited among the participants, only 43% of them were having good attitudes towards BSE and only 51% among them have ever practiced BSE.Conclusions: The study revealed good knowledge, negative attitude and low practice towards BSE among the students of Noida International University, Greater Noida, UP State, India. Therefore, there is need to plan and prepare materials for educating the students on BSE to improve primary prevention of breast cancer.

A Lecture-Based Instructional System to Promote Student Agency

This research study was conducted in 2018 and resulted in an instructional system designed to support university instructors that seek to promote student agency in lecture-based learning environments. The objective of the study was to design and test an instructional system that supplements the traditional lecture and provides opportunities for the development of agentic engagement. In support of the instructional system design, the study examined ways in which university undergraduates used a digital backchannel, determined if using a digital backchannel affected agentic engagement, and identified the features of a digital backchannel that influenced student agency. The study employed a mixed methodology design using a questionnaire to collect quantitative student profile data and phenomenography to conduct a qualitative inquiry into participants’ experience. The population for this study consisted of undergraduates at a private, international university located outside of Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 171 participants took part in this study, with ten students selected for a focus group through a non-probability, purposive sampling. Overall, the study found that a lecturing system that employs the strategic use of a digital backchannel can promote student agentic engagement. Student agency and instructor effectiveness were both positively influenced through the employment of an instructional system.

PERANCANGAN STRATEGI KREATIF REBRANDING PROGRAM SARJANA SISTEM INFORMASI DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE ADDIE

Brand identity is a unique characteristic of a brand. Brand identity can be seen in the form of symbols, visuals, and physical representations that serve to make it easier for consumers to recognize a brand. Over the time, brand identity has become much more important and noticed. Therefore there is a demand for a brand to make changes. These changes were made to defend against extreme market developments. This process is known as rebranding, which will produce a reconstructed brand identity to compete in a new market. Corporate rebranding has become a common practice to adapt to changes in the micro and macro environment. With the increasing number of successful organizations after implementing corporate rebranding, it creates interest in the academic world, especially in universities. Therefore, the author emphasizes this application study to raise the topic of "Designing a Creative Rebranding Strategy for the Information Systems Bachelor Program". In this rebranding design stage, the research uses the ADDIE development method (Analyzing, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation). The output of this design will be used by Batam International University Information Systems Bachelor Program on youtube and instagram. With the implementation of this design, it will provide an identity that can reflect the new characteristics of the Batam International University Information Systems Bachelor Program.

A Phenomenological Study on the Positive and Negative Experiences of Chinese International University Students From Hong Kong Studying in the U.K. and U.S. in the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused distress in students globally. The mental health of international students studying abroad has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially Chinese students who have been unfairly targeted.Objective: To explore and document the positive and negative experiences of a group of Hong Kong Chinese international students studying in the U.K. and U.S. from an insider perspective in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The qualitative study used four 1.5-h online focus group interviews of 20 Chinese international students from Hong Kong aged 18 or older studying in universities in the United Kingdom or the United States, from 3 May to 12 May 2020. A framework approach with a semi-structured interview guide was used to reflect students' stressors, cognitive appraisals, coping, and outcomes (negative impacts and positive gains), in the early stages of COVID-19. Different strategies were used to ensure the credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability of the study. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis.Results: Twenty full-time international University students (60% female, 90% aged 18–25 years and 65% undergraduates) were recruited. Students reported (i) stress from personal (e.g., worries about health and academic attainment), interpersonal (e.g., perceived prejudice and lack of social support), and environmental factors (e.g., uncertainties about academic programme and unclear COVID-19-related information); (ii) significant differences in culture and cognitive appraisal in the levels of perceived susceptibility and severity; (iii) positive thinking and using alternative measures in meeting challenges, which included effective emotion and problem coping strategies, and the importance of support from family, friends and schools; and (iv) negative psychological impact (e.g., worries and stress) and positive personal growth in crisis management and gains in family relationships.Conclusions: With the rise in sinophobia and uncertain developments of the pandemic, proactive support from government and academic institutions are urgently needed to reduce stress and promote the well-being of international students, especially Chinese students in the U.K. and U.S. Clear information, public education and policies related to the pandemic, appropriate academic arrangements from universities and strong support systems play important roles in maintaining students' psychological health.Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered with the National Institutes of Health (https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT04365361).

Building Trust: How Understanding Users Can Lead to Inclusive and Equitable Library Services

In the fall of 2020 interviews were conducted with students of color at Trinity International University. The goal was to better understand the experiences students of color have had with the library, how the library can be more welcoming, and ways that librarians can work toward anti-racism. This paper reports key themes from the interviews. It also describes the lessons learned about having these discussions and provides suggestions for other librarians wishing to connect more with their students of color. Engaging in intentional conversations with students of color can help librarians build relationships with students and gain valuable insights into how the library can better serve students.

Maintaining Service while Sheltering in Place

California has consistently been at the forefront of COVID-19 cases in the United States and had stringent regulations to slow the curve and save lives. These regulations have had a dramatic impact on academic libraries in Southern California, with many universities conducting online Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. This presentation includes: An introduction to California COVID-19 restrictions. An overview of how SCATLA (Southern California Theological Library Association) libraries have dealt with the COVID-19 restrictions. A deep dive into how several SCATLA libraries - Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, Hope International University, and Loyola Marymount University - implemented creative solutions to support their communities during COVID-19 restrictions. Issues of budget, instruction, online support, staffing, physical materials vs online materials, mailing services, and space are discussed in detail. Plans for future policies and services in a world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for English Linguistics Research, Vol. 10, No. 4

English Linguistics Research (ELR) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether ELR publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 4 Alina Andreea Dragoescu Urlica, University of Life Sciences, RomaniaGhadah Al Murshidi, The United Arab Emirates University, UAENaom Nyarigoti, United States International University-Africa, KenyaWin Whelan, St. Bonaventure University, USAYuemin Wang, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Best Regards,Camille SuEditorial Assistant, English Linguistics ResearchSciedu Press*************************************Add: 9140 Leslie St. Suite 110, Beaver Creek, Ontario, L4B 0A9, CanadaTel: 1-416-479-0028 ext. 210E-mail 1: [email protected] E-mail 2: [email protected] Website: http://elr.sciedupress.com