Success strategies for the international Masters and Ph

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Success strategies for the international Masters and Ph. D. student Charles Blankson, Ph. D.

Success strategies for the international Masters and Ph. D. student Charles Blankson, Ph. D. Associate Professor of Marketing Department of Marketing & Logistics, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA 9/26/2020 1

Myself n n n n American Field Service (AFS) student – Grants Pass High

Myself n n n n American Field Service (AFS) student – Grants Pass High School, Grants Pass, Oregon, USA. American College in Paris. Alliance Francaise in Paris. South Bank Polytechnic, London. Liverpool Polytechnic. Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent. University of Grennwich, London. Kingston University, London. n n n Grand Valley State University. Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus. UNT. 2 9/26/2020

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Rationale for international student recruitment n Economic n n Essential source of revenue by

Rationale for international student recruitment n Economic n n Essential source of revenue by post-secondary institutions (Andrade 2006). International students and their dependents supply over US$13 billion dollars annually to the US economy – with majority of the funds originating outside the US (IIE 2005). 5 9/26/2020

Rationale for international student recruitment contd. n International students contribute to intercultural learning. n

Rationale for international student recruitment contd. n International students contribute to intercultural learning. n n Increase understanding of diversity and global issues. Create international business and trade connections. Promote foreign policy interests (Schneider 2000). In some cases, international students remain in the country after graduation to fill needed positionsn Australia, Canada, UK, USA, the EU. 9/26/2020 6

International students in the United States CHALLENGES FACING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES

International students in the United States CHALLENGES FACING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES 7 9/26/2020

Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Sub-Saharan Africa America* Respect Tolerance Collectivism Individualism Moderate Low Slight tilt

Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Sub-Saharan Africa America* Respect Tolerance Collectivism Individualism Moderate Low Slight tilt in favor of passive Slight tilt in favor of goal behavior aggressive goal behavior or femininity masculinity Power Distance Individualism. Collectivism Uncertainty Avoidance Feminine-Masculine 9/26/2020

Challenges: - n To encourage intercultural learning, there is need for interaction of international

Challenges: - n To encourage intercultural learning, there is need for interaction of international and domestic students (Zhao et al. 2005). n Language issue -76% of ESL students in one Australian University were judged to require intensive English language support] (Ramburuth 2001). n Difficulties understanding lectures – vocabulary and speed of speaking… 9/26/2020 9

Challenges: n Less social support than American students. n The more interaction international students

Challenges: n Less social support than American students. n The more interaction international students have with Americans, the greater their adjustment (Hechanova. Alampay et al. 2002). 10 9/26/2020

Challenges: n Preference for friendships with co-nationals. n Confidence in own abilities. n Loneliness

Challenges: n Preference for friendships with co-nationals. n Confidence in own abilities. n Loneliness and homesickness. n Cultural adjustment. n Faculty often misinterpret the behaviors of international students n n A student’s comment “No problem, Sir, I will take care of it “ was not received well by a UNT senior faculty. We need greater understanding of foreign students’ academic, social, emotional, and psychological challenges. 9/26/2020 11

Challenges: n Evidence suggests that some faculty make accommodations for weak English-language proficiency in

Challenges: n Evidence suggests that some faculty make accommodations for weak English-language proficiency in course requirements and on assessments (Ramburuth 2001). 9/26/2020 12

Success n In spite of difficulties with English and other challenges, international students are

Success n In spite of difficulties with English and other challenges, international students are academically successful (Berman and Cheng 2001). n International students are generally satisfied with their experiences in English-speaking universities (Lee and Wesche 2000). . . n More so with academic aspects than social aspects. 9/26/2020 13

Success strategies: n Cultural adjustment is gradual. n Be self-motivated. n Put in maximum

Success strategies: n Cultural adjustment is gradual. n Be self-motivated. n Put in maximum effort. n Be proactive in demonstrating your willingness to succeed academically… n n n Visit with faculty and let them know you better. Be sociable and proactively develop friendship with American students. Involve yourself in campus activities such as foot-ball, basket-ball games, soccer, Department outing, get-togethers, societies etc. 9/26/2020 14

Success strategies: n n n Show up!!! Be seen in the Department. Offer to

Success strategies: n n n Show up!!! Be seen in the Department. Offer to make presentations about your country…and your country’s educational system. Try to be sociable and personable. . . Smile!! 15 9/26/2020

Success strategies: n Be enthusiastic, diligent, collegial, broad -minded, professional, and loyal to your

Success strategies: n Be enthusiastic, diligent, collegial, broad -minded, professional, and loyal to your department, college, university. n Have a “thick skin. ” n Be humble, respectful, and also, flexible. n Have drive and work very hard. n Avoid “politics” in the Department. 9/26/2020 16

February 2015 survey of UNT international students’ experiences at UNT n “Difficulty in making

February 2015 survey of UNT international students’ experiences at UNT n “Difficulty in making friends. ” n “I have difficulty in organizing my time – weekly assignments, journal article reading – some articles about 20 pages. ” n “It is hard for me to write – the sentences and vocabularies in the right way. ” n “Give more publicity to the campus groups/societies. ” 9/26/2020 17

February 2015 survey of UNT international students’ experiences at UNT contd. n n “I

February 2015 survey of UNT international students’ experiences at UNT contd. n n “I am currently having problems interacting with people due to being new to the school. ” “Help international students to adjust to living in the US. ” “Acknowledge that international students have multilingual skills whereas most Americans do not have these skills. ” “I want to know more about the do’s and don’t’s in America such as on all spheres of life including social, academia, Police/Law Enforcement – as ignorance of the law is no excuse. ” 18 9/26/2020

Success strategies: final tips n n n Have an open mind. Seek help: talk

Success strategies: final tips n n n Have an open mind. Seek help: talk to faculty, your friends, etc. Be part of the University community. Other students from your home. 19 9/26/2020