The World Comes to The World Comes to OberlinOberlin

Fall 2009Fall 2009

Katya Grim, Associate Dean of Studies and Director Katya Grim, Associate Dean of Studies and Director of International Student Servicesof International Student Services

Peters 205, x58540Peters 205, x58540

Presentation online at Presentation online at www.oberlin.edu/dstudies/foradvisorswww.oberlin.edu/dstudies/foradvisors

Fall 2009 International Student DataFall 2009 International Student Data

We have 77 new international students from 30 countries We have 77 new international students from 30 countries (67 on a student visa, 4 dual/US citizens and 6 US citizens (67 on a student visa, 4 dual/US citizens and 6 US citizens who reside overseas or went to high school abroad)who reside overseas or went to high school abroad)• Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China,

Colombia, Ecuador, France, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United KingdomThailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom

Of the 77 new students, 35 are in the College, 41 in the Of the 77 new students, 35 are in the College, 41 in the Conservatory and 1 is a Double-Degree studentConservatory and 1 is a Double-Degree student

The total number of international students enrolling this fall The total number of international students enrolling this fall is 202 students from 52 countriesis 202 students from 52 countries

Of the 202 students, 93 are in the College, 101 in the Of the 202 students, 93 are in the College, 101 in the Conservatory and 8 in the Double Degree programConservatory and 8 in the Double Degree program

What to Expect What to Expect • International students may be more mature in some respectsInternational students may be more mature in some respects

• Some may experience culture shock (watch for homesickness, Some may experience culture shock (watch for homesickness, inability to socialize, students looking disoriented or inability to socialize, students looking disoriented or disinterested in class) disinterested in class)

• Some may experience adjustment issues – with psychological Some may experience adjustment issues – with psychological and/or physical manifestations – but may be reluctant to seek and/or physical manifestations – but may be reluctant to seek counselingcounseling

• All will struggle with the “language barrier” – having to “live” All will struggle with the “language barrier” – having to “live” in a foreign language can be stressfulin a foreign language can be stressful

• Students may experience fear of the “unknown” that can Students may experience fear of the “unknown” that can result in stress, confusion, lack of confidence and feelings of result in stress, confusion, lack of confidence and feelings of inferiorityinferiority

The Specific Academic IssuesThe Specific Academic Issues• Challenges with:Challenges with:

academic writing (style, form and expression)academic writing (style, form and expression) reading (speed and comprehension)reading (speed and comprehension) in-class discussions (comprehension, self-consciousness, in-class discussions (comprehension, self-consciousness,

respect for authority)respect for authority)

• Difficulties understanding the honor code - reinforce the Difficulties understanding the honor code - reinforce the concept of academic honesty and integrity; emphasize the concept of academic honesty and integrity; emphasize the issue of trust and honor; keep in mind that they all come from issue of trust and honor; keep in mind that they all come from different academic and cultural backgroundsdifferent academic and cultural backgrounds

• Different study habits and skills (memorization and literal Different study habits and skills (memorization and literal repetition vs. interpretation, assimilation and application of repetition vs. interpretation, assimilation and application of knowledge)knowledge)

• Reluctance to take courses in fields outside their main area of Reluctance to take courses in fields outside their main area of interest/comfort, typically dependent on their level of Englishinterest/comfort, typically dependent on their level of English

What Advisors Can DoWhat Advisors Can Do

For your advisees for whom English is a challengeFor your advisees for whom English is a challenge:: Encourage them to take first-year seminars and writing coursesEncourage them to take first-year seminars and writing courses Encourage them to take a module course on reading strategiesEncourage them to take a module course on reading strategies Make sure they are aware of resources: Student Academic Services and the Make sure they are aware of resources: Student Academic Services and the

Writing CenterWriting Center

For all your international adviseesFor all your international advisees:: Talk with them about how the honor code applies in their coursesTalk with them about how the honor code applies in their courses Encourage them to get to know their professors and to NOT be afraid to ask Encourage them to get to know their professors and to NOT be afraid to ask

questionsquestions

The Office of International Students maintains formal and The Office of International Students maintains formal and informal contact with all international students and informal contact with all international students and especially the new ones. Please contact us if you have especially the new ones. Please contact us if you have questions or you need assistance with a student. questions or you need assistance with a student.

Services/Programs We OfferServices/Programs We OfferEducational and Social Programs and Activities Educational and Social Programs and Activities ESL ProgramESL Program Specialized orientation programSpecialized orientation program Workshops on employment opportunitiesWorkshops on employment opportunities Workshops on immigration regulationsWorkshops on immigration regulations Workshops on taxation in the USWorkshops on taxation in the US Writing workshopsWriting workshops Panel discussions (e.g., Panel discussions (e.g., Myths and Truths About My CountryMyths and Truths About My Country)) Cultural events and celebrationsCultural events and celebrations Counseling and support on issues of cultural adjustment as well as academic, career, and personal matters (banking, Counseling and support on issues of cultural adjustment as well as academic, career, and personal matters (banking,

driving in the US, social security, health insurance, etc.)driving in the US, social security, health insurance, etc.) Host ProgramHost Program Support for international groups on campusSupport for international groups on campus Liaison with other offices on campusLiaison with other offices on campus Assist faculty and staff as need be in their interaction with international studenAssist faculty and staff as need be in their interaction with international studentsts

SEVIS/DHS Reporting RequirementsSEVIS/DHS Reporting Requirements ““Register” each enrolled student each semester in the SEVIS systemRegister” each enrolled student each semester in the SEVIS system Monitor enrollment and course loads Monitor enrollment and course loads Keep personal and program info updatedKeep personal and program info updated Info on completion or termination of programInfo on completion or termination of program Respond to ICE and FBI inquiriesRespond to ICE and FBI inquiries Maintain student and university SEVIS recordsMaintain student and university SEVIS records Offer extensive immigration advising for studentsOffer extensive immigration advising for students

Web resources at Web resources at www.oberlin.edu/international

Enjoy your interaction with the Enjoy your interaction with the international students!international students!

And please do not hesitate to contact our And please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions or concerns. office with any questions or concerns.

Office: Peters 205Office: Peters 205

Phone: 58540Phone: 58540

Email: katya.grim@oberlin.eduEmail: katya.grim@oberlin.edu

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!