With an increasing number of international students coming to the U.S. to earn their graduate degree it is essential to provide support throughout their time as part of our colleges and universities. Learn key insight from the perspective of an international student regarding the acclamation process encountered both in the educational system and American culture. Discover new strategies your office can implement to support this student population beyond sending the acceptance letter and I-20. Presenter Melissa Ford Director of Graduate Admissions University of Mary Hardin Baylor

1. International Students:
Reaching Beyond the
Classroom
MELISSA FORD
DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR

2. Outline
 GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL
ENROLLMENT GROWTH
 CONNECTING WITH
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
 PREPARING FOR INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT ARRIVAL
 PROVIDING EFFECTIVE STUDENT
SERVICES

3. 126
258
230
324
618
1035
86
190 180
235
452 445
11 10 16
73
149
0
200
400
600
800
1000
Spring 2012 Fall 2012 Spring 2013 Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Fall 2014
Applied Accepted Arrived
Graduate International Student
Enrollment Growth at UMHB

4. Connecting
with Graduate
International
Students
 Utilize your relationship with
current international students
 Learn about your new
student’s culture
 Be available to them
 Acknowledge the challenges
they are facing by coming to
the U.S.

5. “
”
I’ve enjoyed the independence,
meeting new people, and being
able to share my culture with
other people.
WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED THE MOST ABOUT COMING TO THE U.S. TO STUDY?
Angelica Villafuerte, M.Ed. ’13. Ed.D. ’17
from the Philippines

6. Preparing for Arrival
 Communicate using wording they
best comprehend – remember they
are not here yet
Fall or Spring “intake”
Fall semester (August start date) and Spring
semester (January start date)
“Small doubt”
“Please do the needful”
 Outline housing options month in
advance
 Know their culture
 Provide arrival and orientation
expectations

7. Providing Effective
Student Services
 Network with your community
 Develop an “international
friends” program
 Involve students in
organizations with domestic
students
 Encourage conference and
research presentation
opportunities

8. Questions?