International Students and Your Community: The Challenges and Opportunities

Presentation OutlineIntroductions & setting the stage

Challenges for the town-gown setting

Opportunities for the region and state

Discussion & questions

6,599 Michigan State University Students3,950 undergraduates2,179 graduate470 non-degree

1,100 visiting scholars hosted by MSU academic departments

International Student Numbers Fall 2012

Michigan State University:Top 10 International Student Population1. University of Southern California2. University of Illinois 3. New York University4. Purdue University 5. Columbia University6. University of California 7. Ohio State University University of Michigan 9. Michigan State University10. Harvard University

Institute of International Education: Open Doors Data 2010/2012

Countries of origin shifting:China

Korea

India

Saudi Arabia

Taiwan

China a national trendMore students come to the U.S. from China than from any other country

57,000 undergraduate students came from China in 2010-1143% increase over the previous year

Undergraduates are new phenomenon

Chinese Students at MSUNumber of Freshmen from China at 385 times greater today than a decade ago

43 % of international student population are undergraduate students from China

MSU has long history of partnership with Chinese universities which makes it more comfortable

Chinese Undergraduates at MSU20054320069420072422008676200912232010164920112213201228452013Expect 1000 new freshmen

Reason for Increase in Chinese StudentsRising middle and wealthy class

One-child families

Increasing role of educational agents Lack of capacity at Chinese universities

Liberalization of U.S. visa policies in China

Status of studying in the U.S.

Opportunities for Michigan Students Unaffected% of Michigan residents entering MSU dropped from 88% in 2002 to 70% in 2012

The Michigan K-12 system is providing less high school graduates

Michigan students are being accepted into MSU in the same percentage as before 73% of in-state students who applied accepted, compared to 68% in 2002

Challenges and Opportunities

ChallengesCross-cultural understandingLegal issuesCommunication

OpportunitiesGlobalizing the regionEconomic developmentLong-term relationships

Challenges: the Underlying Issues Adjustment/transition issues

Cultural differences

Language barriers

Cross-cultural misunderstandings

Legal issues

Initiatives to address challenges Focused on collaborations with university, municipal, business, and community partners, including:

Cross-cultural communication trainingsStakeholder group Legal issues workgroup

International Stakeholder Group Increasing number of university and community entities working and interacting with international students.

Despite different entities, contexts and situations, similar challenges emerged

Absence of coordination and communication between entities.

Composition of Stakeholders Coordinated by MSU Governmental Affairs, includes representatives from:

MSU: Office of International Students & Scholars, Division of Student Affairs, Office of Intercultural & Inclusion Initiatives, Residence Education & Housing, MSU PoliceCity of East Lansing: City Council, Planning Dept, Code Enforcement, EL Police53-B District CourtRental property managers

Cross-Cultural CommunicationLarger international population means more interactions with local entities, including business, municipal, and community members.

Issues: Cross-cultural understanding is lacking Communication challenges

Communication trainings Offered cross-cultural communication training sessions for:Taxi drivers; Hotel staffsRental property managers City of East Lansing Leading ManagersJoint Police Training

Partnership between:MSU: Office of International Students & Scholars, Community LiaisonCity of Lansing, East Lansing, & Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lansing Airport

Legal issues workgroup Key issue of concern to emerge from stakeholder conversation is legal issues.

Formation of workgroup including:MSU: Governmental Affairs, Community Liaison, Student Legal Services, Office of International Students & Scholars, MSU Police

City: Court administrator, probation officer, Mayor Pro Tem from City Council, East Lansing Police

Focus on legal issuesInterpretation services needed during court appearances; police interactions

Uncertain of understating of the judicial process from beginning to end.

Translation of educational resources

Understanding impact of arrest/court interactions in relation to student visa status

Opportunities: embracing the international communityGlobalizing the Region

Global Lansing Initiative

Economic Development

Globalizing the RegionMichigan Governor, Rick Snyder, has supported the growth of international partnerships to bring opportunities to the state through a Global Michigan campaign

Regions have adopted this concept and developed their own regional campaigns (i.e. Global Detroit and Global Lansing).

Embracing the role that globalization can play in a community, region, and state is the first step.

Economic DevelopmentWhy International Students Can Be an Economic Engine for Lansing?

International Students Are:Ambassadors back in their home countries Innovative entrepreneurs in our communitySignificant regional economic drivers; potential investors and job creators Top academic and research talent; keys to innovationIn 2011, international students in Greater Lansing contributed over $180 million to the local economy.

Economic Development continuedMIs foreign-born were more than 3X as likely as U.S.-born MI residents to start a new business between 1996 & 2007

1/3 of new high tech start-ups in MI over the past decade were started by immigrants

Global LansingGoals:Have the community and business owners see the value in our international populationCreate mentorship program to connect international students with local business ownersDevelop Ambassador program to welcome international constituents to the region

Seeing the Value in our International CommunityLansing State Journal Outlook SectionCommunity members, business owners, Governor Rick Snyder, and a local MSU international student wrote articles describing the benefit of our international community Articles were published together during the week international students arrive at MSU in August.MSU International student entrepreneurs create a lounge for international students to enjoy some of their home cultural

MentorshipGlobal Lansing Intern Program

Connecting MSU international students with an internship in the region.

Sustaining relationships with local businesses to continue to support the internship program

Providing MSU international students with an opportunity to gain skills in their desired industry, but also gain important social and communication skills

Ambassador ProgramThe Cultural Ambassadors program will provide much needed cohesion, collaboration and collective branding for existing international programming in the Lansing area. Centerpieces of the Cultural Ambassadors program will include:

Engaging existing and new immigrant communities in ongoing Global Lansing initiatives and connect them to incoming international delegations.

Developing customized cultural ambassador trainings for community leaders and Global Lansing advocates by expanding the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureaus Certified Tourism Ambassador training.

Compiling and releasing an inventory of immigrant owned or focused organizations, restaurants, retailers and other institutions in the region. This asset map will be coupled with existing welcoming materials and program run by the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Contact Information:Ginny Haas haasv@msu.edu

Erin Carter carte221@msu.edu

Aleece Hodges aleecehodges@gmail.com