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ChallengesFacing

InternationalStudents

Presentation for the Faculty of Applied Science & EngineeringWednesday, August 4th, 2010

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• Introduction

• What are the challenges students face? Personal Academic Professional

• Overview of the approach at Rotman

• Discussion

Agenda

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International Student Population Increase

87.8 %

Domestic

55%

International

45%

Rotman 2010

Full-Time MBA*

* Estimated figures for 2010includes landed immigrants

• Increased 87.8% to 6,641 from 2001 to 2005

• About 10% of undergraduates

• About16% of graduates

Figures understate the reality since landed immigrants are not included

Source: Towards 2030, http://www.towards2030.utoronto.ca/full.html

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Unique skills and perspectives

• Different perspectives allows for more balanced learning

• Domestic students gain from learning about and experiencing differences positively

• Universities can achieve excellence only by engaging the rest of the world

• Canadian education becomes more competitive in the long run as it is more aware and integrated into the world economy

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The Challenges Overview

• Settling in upon arrival in CanadaPersonal

• Adjusting to the North American

classroomAcademic

• Preparing for the Canadian job

marketProfessional

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

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Personal Challenges

• International fees are 2-3 times of domestic fees for many programs Significant investment

• Long separations from family

• Basic needs must be addressed first

• Establishing new social network

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Personal Challenges

• International students face significant cultural and linguistic challenges:

Integration versus self-imposed segregation Handling diversity of classrooms Cultural barriers Domestic students vs. international students

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Academic Challenges

• Classroom Expectations formality, grades, etc…

• Plagiarism understanding

• Group Dynamics cultural differences style differences skill sets development

• Professors & Students domestic and international

• Administrators & Students problem/crisis awareness

• Assessments customized workshops/programs

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Professional Challenges

• Development of soft skills

• Development of professional network

• Graduate vs. Undergraduate

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• The challenges are unique depending on the program, country of origin, etc…

• No one size fits all

• Needs are different depending on program, country of origin, gender, among other attributes

• For example: Graduate business students have more pressure towards

professional accomplishment

Students from India have greater pressures to settle down

Unique Challenges

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Rotman’s Orientation Approach

• Connect with students early, before they arrive

• Pre-program 360 Assessment

• International Student Orientation Programs

• Mentorship Programs

• Mid-term check-points

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Rotman’s Orientation Approach

Rotman International Student Orientation Week 2010

Time of DayTuesday, August 3rd Wednesday, August 4th Thursday, August 5th Friday, August 6th Saturday, August 7th

Casual Attire Casual Attire Business Attire Business Attire Casual Attire

8:00-8:30

8:30-9:00Breakfast & Registration

Rotman IT/RWorld9:00-9:30

ISOW Information Fair9:30-10:00

Welcome & Rotman Ready & Rotman RulesGroup Presentations

10:00-10:30

ISOW Amazing Race

10:30-11:00

Classroom Expectations: Studying in a North American MBA Program

Learning & Succeeding in a New Environment

11:00-11:30

11:30-12:00

12:00-12:30

Free Time Free Time12:30-1:00

Free Time1:00-1:30

ISOW Presentation Day Lunch1:30-2:00

Managing Your Career Networking in Canada

Company Site Visits

2:00-2:30

Canadian Business & Economy2:30-3:00

A Newcomer's Experience in Canada 3:00-3:30

3:30-4:00University of Toronto

Campus Tour4:00-4:30

Rotman IT/RWorld

Introduction to the BICFinal Presentations4:30-5:00

Introduction to the BIC5:00-5:30

5:30-6:00

ISOW Reception6:00-6:30

6:30-7:00

Settling In With The Second Years7:00-7:30

7:30-8:00

8:00-8:30

8:30-9:00

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Questions?

Laura Woodlaura.wood@rotman.utoronto.ca

416.978.3943