Evaluation of International Students' Perceptions of Eastern Kentucky University
Author: Sultana, Qaisar
Date: 2011-11-00
Type: Reports - Research
Subjects: Foreign Students,Student Attitudes,College Credits,Social Isolation,Academic Advising,Scholarships,Transfer Policy,Student Recruitment,Social Experience,Educational Experience,Questionnaires,Interviews,College Faculty,Instructional Effectiveness,Teacher Effectiveness,Academic Support Services,Social Bias,Social Discrimination,Interpersonal Relationship,Higher Education,College Students

The study examined the perceptions of international students concerning their academic, social, and cultural experiences at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and suggestions for improvement. Researchers prepared a questionnaire consisting of 24 items seeking information related to students' demographics and their perceptions about quality of faculty, instruction, advising, facilities, services, social/cultural experiences etc. at EKU as compared to students' home universities. Items on the questionnaire also invited students' comments and suggestions for improvement. Research subjects, 36 international students, were selected according to convenience, availability, and consent, and comprised of 21 males and 15 females, 10 graduate and 26 undergraduate students. They represented 18 countries and 26 academic departments on EKU campus. Data were collected through individual interviews. Responses were recorded. Confidentiality and anonymity were explained to each interviewee and have been observed. Responses were tallied and percentages were computed. Respondents' comments and suggestions were noted. Data analyses showed that availability of scholarships was the highest recruiter of EKU's international students. Word of mouth followed closely by affordability were the other factors. In general, EKU was comparatively better than the students' home universities. Some dissatisfaction was found with on-campus housing, transfer of credits and academic advising. Some interviewees mentioned instances of discrimination and racism. All interviewees expressed surprise, shock or disgust with their peers' classroom behaviors such as eating, texting, talking out, lack of respect, etc. Social and cultural life of international students at EKU was found to be an area that needs immediate attention. A majority of interviewees complained that they had no American friends and there was lack of interaction between American and international students.  Research findings, insightful comments, and suggestions made by interviewees have significant implications and are worthy of attention by administrators and educators at EKU and other universities interested in attracting and serving international students. The number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by 3% to 690,923 during the 2009/10 academic years, says the annual report, Open Doors, published by the Institute of International Education, New York, NY. The total number of international students in non-degree programs was up 6% to 54,803. Open Doors 2010 reports an increase of 1% new international students enrolled in fall 2009 compared to fall 2008.  International students add diversity, which is one of the goals of higher education. They bring an international flavor and contribute to a richer cultural life. Their numbers enhance the prestige of universities. According to Allan Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education, &quot;Active engagement between U.S. and international students in American classrooms provides students with valuable skills that will enable them to collaborate across cultures and borders to address shared global challenges in the years ahead.&quot; More importantly, international students boost the economy. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce International students contribute nearly $20 billion to the U.S. economy, through their expenditures on tuition and living expenses. Again, according to U.S Dept of Commerce, &quot;Higher education is among the United States' top service sector exports, as international students provide significant revenue not just to the host campuses but also to local economies of the host states for living expenses, including room and board, books and supplies, transportation, health insurance, support for accompanying family members, and other miscellaneous items.&quot; Many universities in the U. S. are, therefore, competing hard to attract international students. Universities are using innovative and creative recruitment strategies to attract more and more international students to their campuses. A lucrative new industry has grown in countries such as China, India, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam in the form of recruiting agencies. These agencies are contracted by major universities in the U. S. to recruit international students. They receive a healthy commission for each student recruited. Other agencies assist international students get admitted into universities in the U. S. and are paid heavily by the students. Other universities rely on more conventional recruiting practices such as sending their own admissions officials abroad to visit college fairs and high schools. &quot;Whatever the method, the guiding philosophy behind international recruitment is the same: Diverse campuses better prepare US students to succeed in a globalised world,&quot; says the IIE report. In the Spring of 2011 when this study was conducted, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) had a total of about 16,000 students. Of these 249 were international students representing 46 countries. The largest group of students (76) came from Saudi Arabia. The second largest number (28) came from India, followed by China (20), and Kenya (17). Eastern does not use any recruiting agencies and EKU's admission officers do not travel internationally for recruitment purposes. Like other universities EKU is also interested in increasing its international students' population.  (Contains 20 tables.)