Early Interventions for International Students Facing Academic Problems

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Early Interventions for International Students
Facing Academic Problems
Diverse Backgrounds Diverse Needs
Norman L. Roberts David A. Shwalb Brigham Young
University
NACADA National Conference 2006 Indianapolis,
Indiana Concurrent Session 139 Code 315
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Presentation Outline

• International student population
• Academic issues faced by international students
• International students at BYU Academic
  performance data
• Intervention design and results The lessons
  learned
• Program implications
• Discussion and observations

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International Student Population
Institute of International Education
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International Student Population
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International Student Population
2003 to 2004 1.3 Decrease
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International Student Population
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International Student Population
All Others
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Academic Concerns

• Cultural differences
• Language limitations
• Adjustment
• Academic overload
• Perceptions of authority
• Educational systems
• Ambiguity

Charles, H. Steward, M. (1991). Academic
advising of international students. Journal of
Multicultural Counseling and Development, 19 (4),
173-181
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High v. Low Achievers

• TOEFL scores
• Motivation
• Ability to remain current
• Use of learning center
• Help from professor/TA
• Peer assistance

Stoynoff, S. (1997). Factors associated with
international students academic achievement.
Journal of Instructional Psychology, 24, 56-68.
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BYU International Population

• 98 countries
• 1,334 undergraduates
• Total undergraduate
• 29,500

Fall 2004 Undergraduates
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BYU International Population
Fall 2004 Undergraduates
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Issues
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Academic Obstacles

• Poor time management 46
• Fear of failure 44
• Poor study habits 40
• Other obstacles 40
• Worried about money 38
• Sensitive obstacles 33
• Ineffective studying 32
• Must work to survive 27
• Fear of pressures 26

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Academic Obstacles
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Academic Standing Rates
Academic Warning or Probation 2003
General student population 7.4 International
students 14.8 Freshmen General student
population 8.6 International students
22.3
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Four Year Follow-up 2001-2005

New Freshmen4,369
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Four Year Follow-up 2001-2005

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The Intervention

• International Students
• freshmen status
• on warning
• Winter Semester 2006
• n22
• Contacts
• Mail
• Email
• Phone

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Comparisons

• Winter 2005 v. Winter 2006
• Responders v. non-responders

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Winter 2005 v. Winter 2006
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Winter 2005 v. Winter 2006
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Winter 2005 v. Winter 2006
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Intervention Lesson 1

• You may
• Cajole
• Coax
• Beg
• Plead
• Pester
• But students may not respond!

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Winter 2006 Response Rates

• 8 responders
• 14 non-responders

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Responders v. Non-Responders
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Responders v. Non-Responders
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Responders v. Non-Responders
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But why not respond?Post hoc survey
I dont remember being contactedI need all the
help I can get and wouldnt refuse an offer for
help.
I'm so sorry, but I really do not remember the
offer.
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But why not respond?Post hoc survey
Sorry, but I didn't get any emailit might have
been my mistake of deleting all the junk
mailsBut I'd love to take the offer and get some
help.
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But why not respond?Post hoc survey
I had a crazy semesterI didn't completely
understand what I needed to do However, I love
to accept that offer again if I can.
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But why not respond?Post hoc survey
The lesson?
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Conclusions

• Established point of contact
• Limitations of contact methods
• System knowledge
• Language barrier
• Academic standing
• Who is who?
• Is non-responding unique?
• Student origin?

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Contact InformationNorman.Roberts_at_byu.edu