OISS: OISS: Bridging Culture, Bridging Culture, Bridging UnderstandingBridging Understanding

Presented by:Adria L. Baker, Ed.D., Executive DirectorLily Lam, M.Ed., LPC, Associate DirectorCory Owen, International Student Advisor

Who are the internationals at Rice University?

The OISS is responsible for tracking, reporting, and providing services for over 1800+ internationals at Rice.This is a 6.5% increase from last year.

Overall International Population

Population Growth

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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

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Rice International Applicants

35313108

3295

4593 4475

37114121

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Percentage of Rice Enrollment that is International(1986-2008)

8.009.00

10.0011.0012.0013.0014.0015.0016.0017.0018.00

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International Student Enrollment Trends at Rice

Expected incoming Undergraduate International Students for Fall 2009 = 105 (85 degree seeking, 20 exchange visitors)

International Student Enrollment by Major(Fall 2008)

Engineering33%

Natural Sciences25%

Architecture3%

Music4%

Social Sciences12%

Business Administration

11%

Humanities12%

Enrollment by Regions of the World

EUROPE12%

MIDDLE EAST7%

OCEANIA1%

ASIA60%

AMERICA17%

AFRICA3%

Rice International Student Demographics

Rice International students represent 82 countries/regions

While the largest percent of international students at Rice study in one of the Engineering fields (with Natural Science in second), Architecture, Music, and Business Administration remained almost the same as last year

Undergraduate International Student Enrollment (1999/2000 - 2008/2009)

8493

111

203

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3.1%3.4%

3.7%

6.6%

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7%

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Undergraduate International Student Percentage of UG Student Body(1999/2000 - 2008/2009)

These snapshots illustrate the increase in international undergraduates over the past 10 years by 142%

Undergraduate Enrollment at Rice

Differences Between Eastern and Differences Between Eastern and Western CultureWestern Culture

From the website of Matt Armstrong

http://mountainrunner.us/2008/01/differences_between_eastern_an.html

Sent to Mr. Armstrong by a friend of his in Reuters. The graphics are by a Chinese individual who was raised in Germany. Many are applicable to most non-Western cultures, not just Chinese as intended.

Blue --> Westerner

Red --> Asian

OpinionOpinion

ContactsContacts

AngerAnger

MeMe

PartyParty

Handling of ProblemsHandling of Problems

The BossThe Boss

Way of LifeWay of Life

Course Requirements

Dropping below hours (12 credit minimum to be full time)

*SEVIS approved below hours justification:

• Illness or medical condition (requires medical professional letter)• Improper course level placement (requires academic advisor letter of support)• Initial difficulty with the English Language (requires academic advisor letter of support) • Initial difficulty with the reading requirements (requires academic advisor letter of support) • To complete course of study in current term (requires academic advisor letter of support) • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods (requires academic advisor letter of support)

**Due dates for dropping:

• New students in their first semester at Rice have until the last day of classes

• Continuing students must check the course drop deadline in the academic calendar

Cultural Adjustment

•Language barriers•Food changes•Personal space•Religion•Social norms•Relationship boundaries

Employment

•On campus employment•CPT (Curricular Practical Training)•OPT (Optional Practical Training)

OISS Programming

•SIR (Spouses of Internationals at Rice)•Free ESL Classes•REAP International (Rice Experiences Advertised to Prospectives•VIP (Valuable International Perspectives)•FISS (Friends of International Students & Scholars)•IEW (International Education Week)•Student Clubs & Organizations•School Visits•Culture Fair (sponsored by ADVANCE)

Other Issues

•DPS (Department of Public Safety)•SSN (Social Security Number)•Moving off-campus

Miscellaneous Factors for International Students