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

• • 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

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

Total International Enrollment Sp 2014

65% 13% 8% 14% Exchange Graduate IEP Undergraduate degree seeking

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

Spring 2014 Orientation

No Shows; 35 Late arrivals; 39

PROBLEMS:



Late Arrivals



No-Shows

Orientation Check-in ; 118

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

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)

‘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

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

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

Questions? Comments?

THANKS for attending our session!

Allison Ludlam & Sean Milton, Orientation Coordinators Office of International Student & Scholar Services Northern Arizona University [email protected]

[email protected]

928-523-2409