Role of Student Affairs in International Student Transition and Success

Authors

Christina W. Yao, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Chrystal A. George Mwangi, University of Massachusetts AmherstFollow

Date of this Version

11-2017

Citation

Journal of International Students

Comments

ISSN: 2162-3104 Print/ ISSN: 2166-3750 Online Volume 7, Number 4, October/November (2017) pp. I-III

Abstract

International student mobility has grown significantly in recent years, with over 4.1 million students in 2013 who studied abroad around the world (Institute of International Education [IIE], 2016). With the changes in student demographics and increased mobility, student affairs professionals are in a unique role to support international student transition and success. Unfortunately, current research and practice in higher education tends to place a high level of responsibility on the international student to successfully transition to a new campus environment or places the responsibility on the international student affairs/student services office to solely work with these students. Given the multi-faceted needs of international students, we argue that it is critical for student affairs professionals across functional areas to be prepared to support this diverse population.