1. International Students
There are 2,217
International Students at
Kent State University
from 99 Countries
Do you think they ever get homesick?
Do you think they ever get frustrated?
Do you think that they ever feel threatened?
Do you think they might sometimes feel alone and isolated?

3. Threats to International Students
When the international student leaves home they are leaving their most crucial support systems behind
Friends
Family
Structures
Student
Student
Language
Routines

4. Threats to International Students The International Student Faces:
One of the greatest threats to an international student is the
psychological adjustment needed that can define
the students’ higher education experience.
The International Student Faces:
Psychological Issues
Sociological Attitudes
Physical Demands
Academic Issues
Safety Threats
Dietary Threats
Residential Issues

5. Threats to International Students
The most common psychological issues faced by the International Student are the challenges of:
Homesickness
Loneliness
Depression
Stress anxiety
Alienation
Isolation
Loss of identity
Status
Self-value
(Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19)

6. Threats to International Students
Other factors that threaten the psychological transition period are the students’ initial reactions to:
Fatigue from a Long Flight
Time Difference Adjustment
Immigration Procedures at Port of Entry into US
These unfamiliar surroundings can lead to:
Feelings of Helplessness
Feelings of Hopelessness
Depression and Despair
Adverse Physical Symptoms

7. Threats to International Students
Adverse Physical Effects
Loss of Appetite
Sleeplessness
Gastrointestinal Problems
Low Stamina
Low Energy
Headaches
The Negative Physical Effects can:
Wreak Havoc on Sustaining Focus
Lead to Poor Performance of Course Work
Harm Overall Quality of Life
Prevent Acculturation to American Society
The prevention and support to curtail the negative psychological aspects needs
to begin before the student arrives on campus.
(Bahvala, 2002; Tator & Horenczyck, 2000; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p. 19).

8. Threats to International Students
To reduce any and all of these
Psychological and Physical challenges
can have a very positive impact on:
The Student
Their Family
Their Friends

9. Reducing Threats by Taking Action!
For Family connection
Reducing Threats by Taking Action!
The length of the psychological transition will be based on the students’:
Overall Condition
Proficiency of English
Previous Experiences with Cultural Adjustments
Support Systems of Family and Friends
Self-Beliefs
Support Systems Available at their University
(Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19)

10. Taking Action to Reduce Language Barriers
Students need to have a proficient knowledge
of the English language
their families do not!
KSU will have a more visible role towards
increasing the positive feelings and perceptions
towards the international student and their families by
providing the ability to convert the English designed website
into other languages at the click of a button.
This KSU website option will show, not tell, that
there is a strong effort being made to reduce language barriers and
increase family and friend support from home.

11. This page becomes… With one click
給KSU
純文字版 地圖
我肯特州立
電話簿
e的登錄
中國的
卓越的行動 指數
站內搜索KENT.edu 關於 學者
入學及學生資助
學生生活
田徑運動
新聞與活動 研究 校園
全球教育辦公室
國際招生
This page becomes…
With one click
國際學生學者服務 家庭 ＆ 朋友 連接
國際倡議
國際教育週
請經常訪問的視頻更新
家 急 信息 招聘信息 對於媒體 純文字版 手機網站
作為俄亥俄州的大學之一，肯特州立提供的資源和設施的一所大學，一所文科大學與友好，輕鬆的氛圍。報名今天開始追求自己的未來在俄亥俄州最好的大學之一。我們教育成功的畢業生超過100年，今天就加入我們的行列。？
版權所有 肯特州立大學 俄亥俄州肯特 電話：

12. Taking Action to Reduce Start Building Relationships
Language Barriers
&
Start Building Relationships
More than one in three foreign students said they have no close U.S. friends, and many said they wish they had more meaningful, relationships with Americans.
(Gareis, 2012)
The Kent Connection Program is designed to match volunteer U.S. students with international students who would like to learn more about American culture and
the nuances of the English language through one-on-one conversations.
One-hour weekly meetings will be held at a convenient time in a safe, secure place on campus to allow for great conversation, deeper appreciation for cultural differences, and to develop friendships that will last a lifetime.

13. Taking Action to Build Relationships
By increasing the international students’ inclusion and acceptance rate into domestic student organizations can have a profound effect on key aspects of privilege that can lead to avoidance, exclusion, and rejection from engagement with others.
(Johnson, 2006, p.55)
Inclusion
Acceptance
Belonging

14. Taking Action to Build Relationships
For friends
Taking Action to Build Relationships
The KSU website will be updated with new web pages filled with international student video stories in English and their native language.
The video chronicles will include information on
the international student’s:
Country
Language
Area of Study
Personal Experiences at KSU
Likes and Dislikes
How they like Kent, Ohio
Interesting Facts

15. Taking Action to Reduce Discrimination Unintentional Discrimination
Purposeful, Hurtful, and WRONG!
Unintentional Discrimination
happens out of
lack of understanding!

16. Taking Action to Reduce Discrimination
Looks like this at
Michigan
State
University
in Ann Arbor, MI

17. Webpage space will be provided to promote similar messages of
anti-discrimination messages
As developed by Michigan State University
through the
Kent State University
Office of Diversity and Inclusion & the Office of Global Education to
Increase Awareness
Increase Understanding
Promote Relationships

18. Taking Action to
Build Relationships, Increase Understanding, and Promoting Awareness
Looks like this at
Ohio State University in Columbus, OH

19. Take Action! Don’t be silent!
Say “Hi!” to the person who sounds and looks different than you.
Involve yourself in a small group project with someone
who is from a land far away.
Get educated about a culture you have only
heard about or never heard of before.
Be mindful of what you are saying to someone who does not
have the same background as you!
Stand up and confront those who speak without
knowledge or understanding!

20. References
Bahvala,A., (2002). Common stressors for international students in the U.S.A. Retrieved July 3, 2005 by Harper, S. and Quaye, S.J. from the Alumni Internet Access and Training Program website:
From Jinan to Columbus: Finding home retrieved on December 1, 2012 from
Gareis, E. (2012). Journal of International and Intercultural Communication-Intercultural Friendship: Effects of Home and Host Region. DOI: /
Harper, S. and Quaye, S.J. (2009). Student Engagement in Higher Education, (p.19). Routledge: New York.
Johnson, A. (2006). Privilege, power, and difference, 2nd ed. (p. 55). New York: McGraw Hill.
Learning about myself and the world at Ohio State retrieved on December 1, 2012 from
Making Our Voices Heard – An International Student Forum retrieved on December 1, 2012 from
Michigan State University, Images retrieved on December 1, 2012 from

21. References
My checklist for an unforgettable experience at Ohio State retrieved on December 1, 2012 from
Ohio State University Logo, Retrieved on December 1, 2012 from
Smiley welcome image retrieved on December 2, 2012 from punkrockers.com.
Tator, M. & Horenczyck, G. (2000). Counseling Students on the move: The effects of culture or origin and performance of relocation among international college students. Journal of College Counseling, 3(1),
Tseng & Newton, 2002; Harper & Quaye, 2009, p.19
Tseng, W. & Newton, F.B. (2002). International students’ strategies for well-being. College Student Journal, 36 (4),