The International Students’ Experience and Benefits to the American Campus

- MSU International Student Quick Facts -Guest Speaker: Tom Rios (Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, MSU) Followed by Q & A -Discussion: “The American Case: The University of Minnesota” -Guest Speaker: Peter Briggs (Director of MSU OISS) Followed by Q & A -Guest Speaker: Patricio A. Brevis (Postdoctorate in Horticulture) Followed by Q & A -Debate on Trice Article: International students: Advantages vs. Disadvantages -Colin Powell quote -PowerPoint presentation: Internationalization of Campuses

 International graduate students consist of 39.9% of the total number of full- time graduate students  The number of undergraduate international students increased by 11.4%.  3.6% of full-time undergraduate students are international  In Fall 2006, international students represented 7.8% of all MSU students  Asia sends the most international students to MSU  More than 55% of MSU’s international students come from four countries: Korea (794), China (600), India (371), and Taiwan (206).  In Fall 2006, students came from 134 countries compared to 127 in Fall 2005  MSU’s international students and scholars contributed more than $90 million to the economy of greater Lansing

 What similarities are there between the programming and organization at Minnesota and at Michigan State?  How do these programs appear to affect both international and domestic students?

 Form two groups  Group I: Faculty members who feel that the international student presence benefits American college campuses. Why? Give examples.  Group II: Faculty members who see the international student presence as having a negative impact on American campuses. Why? Give examples.

 “ American values, including democracy, economic freedom, and individual rights, draw students from many nations. As these students and scholars from other countries gain from our society and academic institutions, they also serve as resources for our campuses and communities, helping our citizens to develop the international understanding needed to strengthen our long-term national security and enhance our economic competitiveness. The professional partnerships and lifelong friendships that are created through international education are important for a secure, prosperous future, not only for our country, but also for the world as a whole.” -Colin Powell

 Internationalization is defined as the “process of integrating an international, intercultural or global dimension into the purpose, functions or delivery of post-secondary education.” -(Knight, 2004, p. 11)

 Nearly $13 billion dollars were contributed to the U.S. economy through the presence of 572,000 international students in  International students perform a substantial amount of U.S. based research and also aid in expanding the opportunities for institutions to do research and study abroad.  Contact with international students help domestic students learn about other cultures, which is important in an increasingly global world. Exposing the American public to people of many cultures helps reduce the ethnocentrism harbored by so many Americans.

 The presence of international students puts pressure on campuses to provide supportive services. For example: English language centers, counseling services, immigration issue specialists.  Language barriers can make communication with professors and other students difficult.  Decrease of American students in fields such as engineering and science/Increase of international students in such fields/Specificity of some research grants allow only American citizens to work on some research projects

 The internationalization of campuses is a path to cultural diversity. However, “the presence of international students, even in large numbers, is insufficient in itself to promote intercultural interaction…and to result in international understanding.” (Ward, 2001, p.29) The reach of international understanding and intercultural interaction is determined by institutions’ policies and practices.

 Briggs, P. (2005). Fewer International Students Mean Trouble at Home. The College Board Review, 205,  Knight, J. (2004). Internationalization Remodeled: Definition, approaches, and Rationales. Journal of Studies in International Education, 8,  Ward, C. (2001): The Impact of International Students on Domestic Students and Host Institutions. A Literature Review. Retrieved October, 7, 2007 from pdf.