Student Affairs Professionals VS International Students

       

       With the effects globalization on the rise, higher education institutions around the world are encountering more international students than before. In this week’s readings, the journals articles explored whether or not institutions are providing enough student support for international students to become successful. As an international student, studying in a foreign country comes with more challenges than your average local student. International students face more challenges than your local students since they face more challenges adjusting to life outside the classroom in addition to the academic challenges. There are student affair professionals that research these challenges and try to strategize ways to help and incorporate them in higher education practices. The readings this week narrowed the topic of student affairs and its use for international students as well as student affair practices in other countries.
Student affairs professionals research the challenges that different student populations face both inside and outside higher education institutions. The Harper and Quaye (2015) article focuses on student engagement and its relation to international students. Harper and Quaye (2015) would best describe student engagement as “participation in educationally effective practices in both inside and outside the institution” (p. 2). They also emphasizes the difference between involvement and engagement. Harper and Quaye (2015) highlight that even though students may be involved in activities it does not necessarily mean that they are engaged (fully participating) in the activity. They argue that student affair professionals should focus on students who lack engagement in the university since engagement has shown great correlation to student success. This would then lead into the conversation of international students and how do they relate to engagement and other student affair challenges.
        Lee (2015) describes that international students are challenged by many issues that involve Language/learning conflicts, social isolation, cultural norms, financial problems, discrimination, and racism. Lee (2015) would argue that student affair professionals should focus on international student and working towards making their institution a more welcoming and supportive environment for international students. Lee (2015) suggests forming connections with international student, providing financial support, thinking of campus practicality, and encouragement for more advocacy for international students.
        The McClellan et. al. article researches whether student affair practices are more professionalized than in other countries. In this research article, McClellan et. al. find that there is a “higher degree of professionalism in student affairs reflected in the qualifications data from Africa, Central America, Europe and North America” (p. 18).
      Although the student affairs issues are not the greatest in regards to international students here in the US, there is a lot more research developing to focus on these issues compared to other countries. Lipka (2010) would argue that “student affairs as a profession has largely developed in the United States, some foreign universities are inclined to compress the last 50 years of research and practice here”. In other words, it seems other countries seem to build on their student affair professions on what other countries are doing (particularly in the US). Lipka (2010) would argue that it is a good idea to research global trends in student affairs; however, there is no size that fits all. Every country do not always encounter the same issues as everyone else; therefore, one strategic practice may not be useful to students in another country.
       I would have to personally say that in creating this entry, I had tried to find articles on student affairs trends in Germany and came up with zero results. It was frustrating yet it was also an eye opener. I questioned whether it was just that I have not encountered translated articles in student affairs trends in Germany or was there not much research in the field. I can only assume that there is “minimal” research in this subject and that there is more on this matter in the US.

Harper, S. R., & Quaye, S. J. (2015). Making engagement equitable for students in US higher education. Student engagement in higher education: Theoretical perspectives and practical approaches for diverse populations, 1-14.

Lee, J. J. (2015). Engaging international students. Student engagement in higher education: Theoretical perspectives and practical approaches for diverse populations, 105-120.

Lipka S. (2010) Student affairs gains a global hub. Chronicle of Higher Education. Aug 1.

McClellan, G. S., Woodard, D. B., Zhou, Q., Marques, C., Reséndiz, J. E., & Kwandayi, H. The global practice of student affairs/services: An exploratory international survey.