| In this age of globalization, the presence of | | | | to pair international and domestic students, |
| foreign students has been perceived by | | | | holiday celebration programs, homestays and |
| universities around the world as an effective | | | | family friendship programs among many others. |
| instrument in the internationalization of | | | | Out-of-the-classroom, social contact has been |
| their campuses. Exposing domestic students to | | | | identified as an important factor in reducing |
| contact with international students has | | | | misunderstanding and promoting adaptation. To |
| served as a strategy to prepare students for | | | | this end, colleges and universities have |
| living and working in a global community and | | | | sought to match international students with |
| as a tool in developing global knowledge. It | | | | domestic students and have tailored programs |
| has also helped in overcoming negative | | | | to particular target groups to assist with |
| attitudes toward other peoples and cultures. | | | | the adaptation process. |
| In meeting the objective of | | | | |
| internationalization of their campuses, US | | | | My question today is how many higher |
| colleges and universities have actively | | | | education institution located throughout the |
| recruited students from all areas of the | | | | world are dealing with these issues? Has your |
| world. | | | | university successfully integrated your |
| | | | foreign students into the mainstream of your |
| It was a known fact that international | | | | country's culture and education? The academic |
| students go to the United States in search of | | | | and cultural integration of international |
| more than an education. They wish to hone | | | | students is congruent with the mission of |
| their English language skills, to understand | | | | most universities in promoting the |
| the American culture, and to develop | | | | educational development and the professional |
| friendships with US nationals. However for | | | | and social skills of all students. The |
| the most part, foreign students fail to | | | | satisfaction of international students, their |
| integrate into the mainstream of American | | | | retention, their progress toward a degree, |
| higher education and many return to their | | | | and their full human development should be as |
| home countries without meeting their academic | | | | much a concern to educators as those of their |
| or personal objectives. Of those who are able | | | | national students. |
| to complete their academic programs, many do | | | | |
| not enter into any meaningful participation | | | | Universities through their international |
| in American culture. | | | | services office are responsible for examining |
| | | | the experiences of international students on |
| International students in the US want to | | | | their campus, identifying what hinders their |
| understand the American culture, their | | | | adjustment and integration, and developing |
| patterns of thinking and behavior, and to | | | | workable strategies to help international |
| learn the cultural norms. Additionally they | | | | students feel a stronger sense of involvement |
| need for the university community to | | | | in the larger academic community. Assessing |
| understand and value the international | | | | and addressing the problems that |
| students' cultures. More interaction with | | | | international students experience will impact |
| American students and families is a way to | | | | many areas. It will aid not only in the |
| increase that type of learning. | | | | internationalization of the campus-as stated |
| | | | in the mission and goals of most |
| In recognizing its responsibility for the | | | | universities-but it will expose domestic |
| well-being of international students, | | | | students to the life styles, values, and |
| American universities across the nation have | | | | culture of people throughout the world and |
| designed and implemented programs in an | | | | thereby enrich their experience. It will also |
| effort to meet the students' personal needs | | | | foster goodwill between nations and will help |
| and academic objectives The programs included | | | | all students develop beneficial bonds for |
| new student and ongoing orientation, programs | | | | their personal lives and future careers. |