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