HIED 66672: International Students at American Colleges
Catalog Description:
Bridging theory and application with an emphasis on the latter. The course begins with a national perspective and then concentrates on the various aspects and best practices of recruiting and supporting international students at the institutional level.
Reflection:
This course built upon my Student Development Theory, Internationalization, and College Environment courses to focus directly on the experience of international students in the United States. As a former international student advisor, this class was particularly beneficial to me, as I could apply theories and discussion in class to experiences I had with my international students in the past. Beyond the impact of a U.S. educational environment on international students, we also examined creating support systems and programming for international students, streamlining international admissions, developing better intercultural communication skills, and working with institutional leaders and faculty on increasing opportunities for international students and internationalization on campus.
Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Understand the various aspects/elements of international education.
Become double-minded.
Apply strategic planning to international education.
Define international student.
Understand basic marketing concepts and their application to international recruitment.
Understand basic immigration terminology.
Understand basic principles of student advising and how they apply to international students.
Attain a basic understanding of acculturation and related terms.
Acquire best practices for international admissions.
Learn the basics of credential analysis.
Grasp how law interfaces in international settings as it applies to contracts and immigration.
Develop an understanding of education abroad and university partnerships.
Have an understanding of international finance.
Develop an awareness of creative international initiatives currently in the field and on the horizon.
Key Assignments:
Critical Threat Reflection – In this assignment, I investigated the complex and challenging web of immigration regulations in the United States and the threat they present to international students.
Marketing Research and Strategic Plan Paper and Presentation – I conducted market research on the Southeast Asian country of Malaysia and identified it as a strong potential future provider of international students to Kent State. Using demographic data, cost/return on investment analysis, and academic information about Malaysian cities, I put together an action plan for increasing Kent State’s enrollment of international students from Malaysia over four years.