There are 2,217

International Students

at

Kent State University

from 99 Countries

Do you think they ever get homesick?

Do you think they ever get frustrated?

Do you think that they ever feel threatened?

Do you think they might sometimes feel alone and isolated?

When the international student leaves home they are leaving their most crucial support systems

behind

Threats to International Students

Student

Friends

Structures

RoutinesLanguage

Family

Student

Threats to International Students

One of the greatest threats to an international student is the psychological adjustment needed that can define

the students’ higher education experience.

The International Student Faces:

Psychological Issues

Sociological Attitudes

Physical Demands

Academic Issues

Safety Threats

Dietary Threats

Residential Issues

The most common psychological issues faced by the International Student are the challenges of:

Homesickness

Loneliness

Depression

Stress anxiety

Alienation

Isolation

Loss of identity

Status

Self-value

Threats to International Students

(Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19)

Other factors that threaten the psychological transition period are the students’ initial reactions to:

Fatigue from a Long Flight

Time Difference Adjustment

Immigration Procedures at Port of Entry into US

These unfamiliar surroundings can lead to: Feelings of Helplessness

Feelings of Hopelessness

Depression and Despair

Adverse Physical Symptoms

Threats to International Students

Adverse Physical Effects Loss of Appetite

Sleeplessness

Gastrointestinal Problems

Low Stamina

Low Energy

Headaches

Threats to International Students

The prevention and support to curtail the negative psychological aspects needs to begin before the student arrives on campus.

(Bahvala, 2002; Tator & Horenczyck, 2000; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p. 19).

The Negative Physical Effects can:

Wreak Havoc on Sustaining Focus

Lead to Poor Performance of Course Work

Harm Overall Quality of Life

Prevent Acculturation to American Society

Threats to International Students

To reduce any and all of these Psychological and Physical challenges

can have a very positive impact on:

The Student

Their Family

Their Friends

For Family connection

Reducing Threats by Taking Action!

The length of the psychological transition will be based on the students’:

Overall Condition

Proficiency of English

Previous Experiences with Cultural Adjustments

Support Systems of Family and Friends

Self-Beliefs

Support Systems Available at their University(Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19)

Taking Action to Reduce Language Barriers

This KSU website option will show, not tell, that there is a strong effort being made to reduce language barriers and

increase family and friend support from home.

Students need to have a proficient knowledge of the English languagetheir families do not!

KSU will have a more visible role towards increasing the positive feelings and perceptions

towards the international student and their families byproviding the ability to convert the English designed website

into other languages at the click of a button.

中國的

卓越的行動

全球教育辦公室

國際教育週國際倡議國際學生學者服務

國際招生

純文字版 地圖 我肯特州立 電話簿 e的登錄 給 KSU

站內搜索KENT.edu

指數

校園研究新聞與活動田徑運動學生生活入學及學生資助學者關於

作為俄亥俄州的大學之一，肯特州立提供的資源和設施的一所大學，一所文科大學與友好，輕鬆的氛圍。報名今天開始追求自己的未來在俄亥俄州最好的大學之一。我們教育成功的畢業生

超過 100 年，今天就加入我們的行列。？版權所有 2012 肯特州立大學 俄亥俄州肯特 44242 電話： 011-330-672-3000

家 急 信息 招聘信息 對於媒體 純文字版 手機網站

家庭＆

朋友連接

請經常訪問的視頻更新

With

one click

This page

becomes…

Taking Action to Reduce

Language Barriers&

Start Building Relationships

The Kent Connection Program is designed to match volunteer U.S. students with international students who would like to learn more about American culture and

the nuances of the English language through one-on-one conversations.

One-hour weekly meetings will be held at a convenient time in a safe, secure place on campus to allow for great conversation, deeper appreciation for cultural differences,

and to develop friendships that will last a lifetime.

More than one in three foreign students said they have no close U.S. friends, and many said they wish they had more meaningful, relationships with Americans.

(Gareis, 2012)

Taking Action to Build Relationships

By increasing the international students’ inclusion and acceptance rate into domestic student organizations can have a profound effect on key aspects of privilege that can

lead to avoidance, exclusion, and rejection from engagement with others. (Johnson, 2006, p.55)

Inclusion Acceptance Belonging

For friends

Taking Action to Build Relationships

The KSU website will be updated with new web pages filled with international student video stories in English and their native language.

The video chronicles will include information onthe international student’s:

Country

Language

Area of Study

Personal Experiences at KSU

Likes and Dislikes

How they like Kent, Ohio

Interesting Facts

Taking Action to Reduce Discrimination

Discrimination

is

Purposeful, Hurtful, and WRONG!

Unintentional Discrimination

happens out of

lack of understanding!

Taking Action to Reduce DiscriminationLooks like this

atMichigan

StateUniversity

in Ann Arbor, MI

Webpage space will be provided to

promote similar messages of

anti-discrimination messages

As developed by Michigan State University

through the

Kent State University

Office of Diversity and Inclusion & the Office of Global Education

to Increase Awareness

Increase Understanding Promote Relationships

Taking Action to

Build Relationships, Increase Understanding, and Promoting Awareness

Looks like this at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UShjGMMpepk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RYJXPPjbBzg

Take Action!Don’t be silent!

Say “Hi!” to the person who sounds and looks different than you.

Involve yourself in a small group project with someone who is from a land far away.

Get educated about a culture you have only heard about or never heard of before.

Be mindful of what you are saying to someone who does not have the same background as you!

Stand up and confront those who speak without knowledge or understanding!

References

Bahvala,A., (2002). Common stressors for international students in the U.S.A. Retrieved July 3, 2005 by Harper, S. and Quaye, S.J. from the Alumni Internet Access and Training Program website: http://alumni.iatp.org.au/publications

From Jinan to Columbus: Finding home retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB1_NhH06Kk

Gareis, E. (2012). Journal of International and Intercultural Communication-Intercultural Friendship: Effects of Home and Host Region. DOI: 10.1080/17513057.2012.691525

Harper, S. and Quaye, S.J. (2009). Student Engagement in Higher Education, (p.19). Routledge: New York.

Johnson, A. (2006). Privilege, power, and difference, 2nd ed. (p. 55). New York: McGraw Hill.

Learning about myself and the world at Ohio State retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UShjGMMpepk

Making Our Voices Heard – An International Student Forum retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sv5SZB_CE1E

Michigan State University, 2012. Images retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://ocat.msu.edu/contact-us/our-msu-our-voices-our-struggles-our-solutions

References

My checklist for an unforgettable experience at Ohio State retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RYJXPPjbBzg

Ohio State University Logo, 2012. Retrieved on December 1, 2012 from http://www.greengarageblog.org/2011/11/21/the-ohio-state-team-says-let-the-tough-work-begin/ohio-state-logo/

Smiley welcome image retrieved on December 2, 2012 from punkrockers.com.

Tator, M. & Horenczyck, G. (2000). Counseling Students on the move: The effects of culture or origin and performance of relocation among international college students. Journal of College Counseling, 3(1), 49-62.

Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19Tseng, W. & Newton, F.B. (2002). International students’ strategies for well-being. College Student Journal, 36 (4), 591-597