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International Students in Iowa: Challenges and Opportunities

This presentation explores the presence of international students in Iowa, focusing on students from China. It discusses the motivations for studying abroad, challenges faced by Chinese students, the prevalence of shadow education, cultural challenges, and issues of cheating in admissions. The presentation also examines the policies and practices of Iowa colleges and universities regarding international student recruitment and admissions.

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International Students in Iowa: Challenges and Opportunities

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  1. International Students in Iowa Linda Serra Hagedorn, Ph.D. Associate Dean – College of Human Sciences Professor – School of Education

  2. Overview • The presentation will provide background: • The numbers of International students in the USA and specific in Iowa • Why students come to the USA and specific to Iowa • Issues pertaining to international students with a focus on Chinese students. • Shadow education • Allegations of cheating to gain admission • Other issues   

  3. The Numbers: National Open Doors (2014).

  4. Open Doors (2014).

  5. Open Doors (2014).

  6. What About Iowa? Total students=35,057 10% International

  7. Iowa State University

  8. University of Northern Iowa

  9. Iowa Private Colleges and Universities • Almost all accept international students • Wartburg College 14% • Grinnell College 13% • Graceland University-Lamoni 5% • Buena Vista University 4% • Loras College 1%

  10. Motivations to Study Abroad • Reputation • USA is the top destination in the world • Of the top 50 universities in the world, 27 are in the USA • State of Iowa • May not be a first choice • Regents are among the most affordable universities among peer institutions • Great college towns • Safety • Cost of living • Reputations • Word of mouth

  11. The Case of China

  12. Fear of the Chinese National Exam • The Gaokao • Intense study • Choice of Gaokao or “other” • SAT or ACT • “Brain Drain”

  13. Gaokao • 9.8 million students took the 2-day exam in 2014 • Gaokao determines • Which college • What major

  14. Costs • Cost of US postsecondary study is “out of reach” for most Chinese families • the average annual salary of a worker in China was 28,752 yuan (about $4,755) in 2012, or 38% of the global average. • Filial piety • “Payback” from adult children

  15. Difficulty taking the SAT/ACT • Chinese government does not allow American admission tests • Closest test centers • Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong

  16. Agents • Third party mediator • University choice • University applications • Visa procedures • Admission tests • Widespread use • Estimate 60% • Issues • False documents

  17. Shadow Education • Activities outside of school that mimic (shadow) activities performed in school. • Tutoring • Special Classes • Test Prep • Private lessons • Arts-based instruction • Widespread • Estimates 75% but anecdotally higher • Global Access Certificate • Kumon

  18. Cultural Challenges • Family pressure • Entrance essay • Choice of major

  19. Cheating and “Cheating” • According to Zinch China (2010) • “90% of recommendation letters are forged” • 70% of essays are not written by the student • 50% of transcripts are altered (Forbes, 2010) • Studying to take a test versus studying the test

  20. American Admissions • It is almost impossible to find data related to who applies and who is accepted at America’s top universities (Espenshade & Radford, 2009) • Interviews with 14 Iowa Postsecondary institutions • No special considerations or policies related to applications from China

  21. Iowa Colleges and Universities • Regents do not require letters of recommendation or interview • Some privates do require both • Difficult to separate “cheaters” from other applications • Most applicants work with an agent

  22. Regents • Accept ALL applicants who meet the admission criteria • Minimum ACT/SAT • English Proficiency • Appropriate financial records

  23. Iowa Private Liberal Arts Colleges • No quotas or targets • Some work with agencies • Some require an interview (Skype)

  24. Messages Warm Welcome Cool Doorstep Bias Emphases on American students No coordinated recruitment strategies for international students • Out of State Tuition • Diversity • International perspective

  25. Conclusions and Policy Recommendations • Cheating • Letters of Recommendation • Shadow Education • Admission tests • Agents • Future • Iowa Private Colleges • Iowa Community Colleges Policy Void

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