1 / 10

We’re not in Kansas anymore… Building Blocks for Effective International Student Orientations

We’re not in Kansas anymore… Building Blocks for Effective International Student Orientations. Allison Ludlam & Sean Milton, Orientation Coordinators Office of International Student & Scholar Services Northern Arizona University. Trends in ISOs .

chinara
Télécharger la présentation

We’re not in Kansas anymore… Building Blocks for Effective International Student Orientations

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. We’re not in Kansas anymore…Building Blocks for Effective International Student Orientations Allison Ludlam & Sean Milton, Orientation CoordinatorsOffice of International Student & Scholar ServicesNorthern Arizona University

  2. Trends in ISOs • Extended programs (up to 12 weeks at U of Toronto) OR • Pared-down programs to prevent ‘information overload’ • Pre-Arrival programs • First-Year seminar programs • Online orientations • Students asked to pay (for orientation, or for R&B, or both) • International populations are more likely than in the past to be UG, and IEP students • Mentoring programs • Focusing on ‘engagement’ and ‘attachment’ with the university and not develop cliques based on nationality

  3. Background Info for NAU • NAU’s international population • 1050 F-1 and J-1 students (70%/30%), 60-70 countries • Largest groups – Chinese, Saudi, Kuwaiti, Korean, Brazilian, German • Degree students • Undergraduate - First-year, Transfer, 1-2-1, 2+2, 1+3 • Graduate • IEP students • Admitted to major (conditional) • IEP only • Exchange • Special Programs • Brazilian Science Mobility • Fulbright • Other

  4. Intake patterns at NAU • Fall – 350-400 F-1 and J-1 students • Spring 150-200 • Summer – less than 50 • Few SEVIS transfers • Approx. 50% are IEP PROBLEMS: • Late Arrivals • No-Shows

  5. Our Goals • Cover the necessary info (immigration, university, academics) • Facilitate university requirements (advising, registration, immunizations, etc.) • Intro to university offices/resources (ISSS, health, counseling, tutoring, PD, etc.), faces, and locations • Warm welcome and connect/network/make friends • Smooth transition to • Living in the U.S. • Life as an NAU student OVERALL – Student Success, Retention, Happiness (and our survival) = EFFECTIVE ORIENTATION

  6. Sessions and workshops • Immigration session • Living in the U.S. • U.S. Academics and tips for success • Employment (rules and looking for on-campus work) • Legal issues • Using the university SIS • Making Friends • Health (health tips, health insurance, campus health) • Other: • Student panel (topical or open-ended, U.S. life/academics) • Banking open house, Resource Fair • Academic Advising & Registration • Language testing/placement for IEP students • Immunization Clinics • Social events (small group dinners, pizza party, coffee time, ice cream social) • Tours (campus, library, health, recreation)

  7. ‘Evolving’ Orientation at NAU • Using technology effectively • (SUNAPSIS) • USB drives • Social Networking • Online Orientation • Programming ideas – throwing things out there to see what ‘sticks’ • ‘Welcome Week’ vs. ‘Orientation’ event • Adapting to university changes (calendar, facilities, policies, etc.) • Orientation Committee

  8. Challenges & Responses • Low- or No-English students > Translators for events, translated important docs • Late Arriving students > Online Orientation, Check-in and other requirements can be programmed as ‘self-service’ • Students who are not interested (only attend what is truly mandatory) > Online Orientation requirement, effective scheduling, giveaways & promos • Maintaining university continuity as to personnel and schedules/staying informed > Build network of Orientation VIPS across campus to help

  9. Ideas/Tips • Get buy-in from anyone and everyone that can and should be involved across campus • Don’t duplicate programming already happening, integrate international students as much as possible into existing programs • Don’t be afraid to try new ideas, and spend money  • Don’t be afraid to fail, and try to figure out what the failure means – bad idea? Bad schedule? Poor execution? • Use ‘Legacy’ events (proven winners) to build your schedule • Giveaways and promos – everyone loves ‘em! • Build network of volunteers (current students) • Build your network of off-campus VIPs

  10. THANKS for attending our session!Allison Ludlam & Sean Milton, Orientation CoordinatorsOffice of International Student & Scholar ServicesNorthern Arizona Universitysean.milton@nau.eduallison.ludlam@nau.edu928-523-2409 Questions? Comments?

More Related