INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English as a Second Language
Colleen Shaughnessy joined the Office of International Education in August 2006 as ESL instructor. In addition to teaching ESL courses each semester, she led an exchange student seminar during new student days and taught IDST 200 Developing Intercultural Competencies in both the fall and spring semesters. Colleen also assisted with orientations and provided academic supports for international students.
In the spring semester, new content-based ESL courses were introduced, one examining U.S. films, the other current events.
Enrollment
In 2005/06, 92 international students were enrolled at Beloit College, representing approximately 7% of the student body. 19 of the 92 were new degree students, while exchange students constituted approximately 25% of the international student population. Note: enrollment figures are based on fall registrations.
International Student Enrollment 2005/06 (individual students)
Student Status Non-Segree Seeking Fall only
3
9
12
Spring only
2
6
8
Academic Year
1
5
6
Degree Seeking Fall new
9
14
23
Spring new
1
0
1
Continuing
29
20
49
45
54
Enrollment by semester: Fall 90, Spring 64. The College uses fall semester figures to report enrollment.
Nationally, in 2005/06 undergraduate international student enrollment by region was: Asia 50%, Latin America 16%, Europe 15%, Africa 9%, North America 6%, the Middle East 3% and Oceania 1%. Koh Chin, H. and Bhandari, R. (2006). Open Doors 2006, Report on International Educational Exchange. New York: Institute of International Education.
In fall 2007/08, 85 international students are expected to be enrolled at the College, of whom 39 of whom will be entering students. Of these, 16 are to be new degree students and 23 non-degree students, including Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants. We anticipate that international student enrollments will begin to rise in 2008/09.
Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants. Sadam Issa arrived in Beloit from Jordan in August 2006 to become the College’s first FLTA. Sadam served as drill instructor for the Arabic Self-Instruction program and worked for CLS in summer 2007. In 2007/08, two FLTAs will audit classes and assist with Arabic and Russian language instruction during the academic year and in the summer through CLS.Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies (PLUS) Program. Beloit College continued to participate in the U.S. State Departments PLUS program, a scholarship program through which students from predominantly Muslim countries transfer to institutions in the U.S. as juniors to complete liberal arts degrees. 6 PLUS students graduated in 2006/07. The remaining 5 students, from India, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia, are expected to graduate in May 2008. Unfortunately, the PLUS program ends with the 2007/08 academic year.
Programming. In August the College experimented with a 2-day orientation for incoming international students in advance of New Student Days, in recognition of the added adjustment burden faced by students coming from other cultural and linguistic environments. Based on its success, the College will continue to bring international students to campus early in August.
Other international student programming included:
- January orientation for new international degree and exchange students;
- Get-togethers at the start of each semester in the Java Joint for new and continuing international students and returning study abroad students;
- Occasional get togethers in International House, including a Hong Kong-themed coffee hour hosted by students;
- A multi-cultural affair organized by the International Club during the September Family and Friends Weekend;
- The host family program, coordinated by Al and Phyllis Wendorf. Program events included a host family picnic in late August for new international students, a winter clothing distribution, a Christmas party, and a January potluck for new international students;
- Sessions on working in the U.S. during and after graduation (February);
- Visits by several international students to local schools to talk about their home countries;
- Volunteering in the City of Beloit;
- International Dinner and Entertainment hosted by the International Club for the college community and host families (April); and
- Farewell Ceremonies for exchange students (December, May).
The International Club also held several other events for students.