Brett Bruner Director of First Year ExperiencePersistence amp Retention Karen McCullough Assistant Director of International Student Services Isaac Ortega Graduate Assistant for International Student Services Graduate Intern for Extended Orientation amp Transition Initiatives ID: 796884
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Slide1
Designing a Comprehensive International Student Orientation, Transition & Retention Program
Brett Bruner, Director of First Year Experience/Persistence & Retention
Karen McCullough, Assistant Director of International Student Services
Isaac Ortega, Graduate Assistant for International Student Services/ Graduate Intern for Extended Orientation & Transition Initiatives
Fort Hays State University
NODA: Association for Orientation, Transition & Retention in Higher Education
2015 Region IV Conference | St. Louis, MO
Slide2Overview of Session
Learning Outcomes
Introduction of Presenters & Institution
Key Terminology SharingSharing of the FHSU ExperienceInternational Student OrientationInternational Student TransitionInternational Student RetentionSuccesses & Challenges – Moving ForwardApplication to Your Campus
Slide3Learning Outcomes
As a result of attending this educational session, participants will:
Identify 1 new strategy to enhance an existing or develop a new international student orientation, transition and/or retention program
Identify 1 campus partner to assist in a comprehensive international OTR planArticulate 1 national challenge of international student retention as identified by NAFSA: Association of International Educators’ (2014) Retention Study
Slide4Division of Student Affairs: Student Life ClusterFort Hays State University
Slide5360 students from 35 countries
ESL – 89
Undergraduate –
150
Graduate –
121
China –
231;
Saudi Arabia –
49;
Paraguay – 10
Total on-campus enrollment:
A Snapshot of the International Student Population
Fort Hays State University
Slide6Why are You Here?
Slide7Key Terminology Sharing
Orientation:
deliberate programmatic & service efforts designed to facilitate the transition of new students to the institution; prepare students for the institution’s educational opportunities & student responsibilities; initiate the integration of new students into the intellectual, cultural & social climate of the institution; & support the parents, partners, guardians, & children of the new student.
Source: NODA Task Force to Explore the Definition of Orientation, Transition & Retention (2012)
Slide8Key Terminology Sharing
Transition:
the process students go through (typically lasting up to 1 year) when entering a particular institution of higher education and/or entering the same institution for a new purpose. This may include, but is not limited to, entering a college as a first-year student, transferring to a college from a different institution, and/or entering a college or university for a subsequent degree. Successful transition results in student integration into the institution & ultimately retention and/or achievement of personal educational objectives.
Source: NODA Task Force to Explore the Definition of Orientation, Transition & Retention (2012)
Slide9Key Terminology Sharing
Retention:
student progression through higher education, focusing primarily on student persistence (i.e. term to term) through the beginning of the 2
nd year at the same institution, with the goal being graduation from that institution and/or achievement of personal educational objectives. Retention is 1 outcome/measure/byproduct of successful student transition, which can be facilitated by effective orientation programs & other academic & social integration processes.Source: NODA Task Force to Explore the Definition of Orientation, Transition & Retention (2012)
Slide10International Students – Pre-Arrival & Orientation
Understand your international students to understand what support they need
Who are the international students on your campus?
Have they traveled abroad before? Or studied in the US before?
What language abilities do they posses?
Did they apply on their own or work with a recruiter?
Support international students typically need
before
they come to campus:
Process on applying for a visa
Housing options on-campus & in community
Health requirements for students on-campus
Travel & Arrival Information
Slide11Focus groups held during orientation with new students
Partner school/Exchange students, Graduate students, Undergraduate students, ESL students
Create consistency with information provided to different groups of students
Offer students options on how to get information back to us
Scan in & email vs online form
Student Portal access
Remember to keep information concise and to the point. Try not to use institutional speak. Bullets & short sentences are preferred
Improving Pre-Arrival Communications
What are we doing right? Where can we improve?
Slide12Arrival Checklist
Information about getting visa, student health requirements, preparing to travel & mandatory orientation
Tasks with due dates for students to complete before they arrive
Confirm receipt of I-20 & pre-arrival packet (email)
Activate Student Portal
Reserve On-Campus
Housing (student portal or email form)
Complete Required Student Health Forms (student portal)
Send travel
information & reserve
spot on Charter Bus to
campus--fall
orientation only (email form)College Week Live WebinarsFuture – Online Orientation Modules with option to upload documents into modulesPre-Arrival Communications
Slide13Score on screening drives Academic Advising & Class Schedule
Graduates students – concurrent language enrollment
Undergraduate students – “all in” ESL
Language Screening
All international students screened for language by Director of ESL – regardless of passing language score
submission
Screening is part of orientation –have offered opportunities for screening in-country as part of academic bridge program
Slide14Orientation
Five to Seven day
Orientation
Assistance with
University
ID card, Housing Contract, Student Health Forms & TB
Tests
Sessions on: Immigration, Academic Honesty, Gender-Based Violence, Health &
Wellness
, Alcohol Awareness,
Safety & UPD, Healthy
Living & Insurance Information, Traditional
Orientation Events, Shopping in US, Involvement at
FHSU, Living with a Roommate, Tour of Campus
Community Partnerships
Downtown District, Chamber of Commerce, Community Connections, Cell Phone Providers, Banks
Tours
City of Hays, Regional Airport, Campus, Library, Kelly Center (Counseling & Academic Support Services), Intramural & Swimming Pool Facilities
Slide15Creating
Relationships & Traditions
Dinner & Games with Residential Life
Dance Party & Karaoke Night – Sponsored by FYE
Slide16Creating
Relationships & Traditions
Trash Pickup Service Project
FHSU President at
Orientation
Slide17Involvement in Traditional Orientation Activities
Playfair
Core2Campus
Football Game
Slide18Course designed by faculty, advisors, graduate school, ISS office
8 week, zero credit/zero cost, pass/fail course
Required for all new int’l Graduate
students
Encouraged for all undergraduate students
Taught by ISS staff and graduate assistants
Fall 2014 enrollment – 100 international students
Continuing Orientation – International Seminar Course
Slide19International Student Transition
“Every time an individual changes roles or experiences a transition, the potential for feeling marginal arises.”
– Schlossberg
“The larger the difference between the former role and the new role the more marginal the person may feel” – Schlossberg
Slide20Transition Programs for International Students
International Student Union
Meetings
ProgramsInternational Education WeekTripsInternational Speakers BureauTiger ReachCommunity Connections
Slide21International Student Union
Organization of International AND domestic students working to promote intercultural exchange.
Weekly Meetings
ProgramsTrips
Slide22Weekly Meetings (ISU)
Discuss
Helps students feel heard
Ex. Superbowl commercialsPlan Helps students feel depended onEx. International Education WeekSocializeHelps student feel connectedEx. Icebreakers, gamenight
Slide23Programs
Host a program focused on a specific piece of culture
Thanksgiving Around the World
Focused on thanksgiving/harvest celebrations from around the world. Countries represented in ISU were represented at this event.Student Driven
Slide24Giving Thanks Around the World
Slide25International Education Week
A week nationally recognized to celebrate international education and the exchange of world views.
Involved ISU members
Split into groups and discussed an issue to focus on and plan a program around it. Gave them a voice, provided purpose
Slide26International Education Week
Slide27Trips
Connect students to cultural opportunities.
Give students an opportunity to explore and not feel trapped.
Used to build connections and create friendships.
Slide28Trips
Slide29International Speakers Bureau
Presented opportunities for schools to bring students into classrooms.
Students
felt more connected to the communityLoved meeting the kidsLoved sharing pieces of their culture
Slide30ISB
Slide31Tiger Reach
Partnership with Center for Civic Leadership’s Global Leadership Project
Domestic students are paired with International Students
Help international students feel more connected
Slide32Community Connections
An off campus organization that provides programs for international students
Helps students connect to the community
Slide33Community Connections
Slide34NAFSA: Association for International Educators (2014) Retention Study
Disconnect between reasons cited by international students leaving & U.S. higher education institutions
Higher education institutions cited the following reasons for attrition:
School reputationFinancesAcademicsInternational students cited the following reasons for attrition:Access to jobs or internships
Affordability
Availability of scholarships
Slide35NAFSA: Association for International Educators (2014) Retention Study
Student underestimation of preparedness to academically succeed in the U.S. classroom
Higher education underestimation of importance of affordability & career information
“Most schools have career services but they’re not adapting enough to the needs & complexities of international students for example, by training them on how to interview for a job.”“Institutions are much more investing on recruitment than on retention & services for international students.”
Slide36International Student Retention
Dropped Student Surveys
Why are your students leaving?
Demographical studiesTigerIQ early alert warning intervention systemInternational responder role = Assistant Director of International Student Services
Slide37Successes & Challenges – Moving Forward
Collaboration is Key!
Take an opportunity to step outside your comfort area (domestic or international)
Moving Forward in 2015-2016Renaming of International Student OrientationDevelopment of new student leadership position for domestic students: International Student Orientation LeadersContinued socialization activities and pride/tradition-building into OTRFamily engagement with spouses through International Spouse Orientation Resource Fair (GA for Family & Transfer Engagement – FYE Office)
Slide38Designing a Comprehensive International Student Orientation, Transition & Retention Program
Brett Bruner, Director of First Year Experience/Persistence & Retention
blbruner@fhsu.edu
Karen McCullough, Assistant Director of International Student Services kmccullo@fhsu.edu Isaac Ortega, Graduate Assistant for International Student Services/ Graduate Intern for Extended Orientation & Transition Initiatives ijortega@fhsu.edu Fort Hays State University