International Diversity Initiatives for Sponsored Students

Carl DeAngelis, Institute of International Education

Mary Kirk, Institute of International EducationJoanne Lagasse-Long, University of ArizonaLinda Tobash, Institute of International

Education

Session Number: G 456

Presenter’s/Author’s

NameLinda Tobash, Carl

Deangelis, Mary Kirk, and

Joanne Lagasse Long

Presenter’s Institution or

City, State, Country

Institute of International Education and University of Arizona

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OverviewBackground and rationale for the growing number of international diversity programs

Examples of new international initiatives

Recruitment and outreach challenges and strategies

Admission challenges

Pre-academic support

Ongoing academic and student services support

Indonesia English Language Study Program (IELSP) - case study

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Background and Rationale

Integrated set of activities implemented by State Department to reach beyond elites and expand benefits of English and contact with the US to new audiences

New programs for young people, teachers and students

Outreach to populations who do not know as much about the U.S. or who might hold negative impressions

Capacity building

Response to an immediate challenge

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What We Mean by DiversityUnderrepresented and non-traditional groups

Geographic diversity

in a region, e.g. new Fulbright country programs

in provincial areas within a county, e.g. new Fulbright outreach in Turkey and Chile

Economic diversity

reaching beyond ‘elites’

limited prior exposure to foreign environments but with potential and motivation to pursue study abroad

limited opportunities to improve English skills

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New Fulbright InitiativesAfrica

Undergraduate African Teachers

South/Central AsiaReactivated Afghanistan programExpansion of Pakistan program5 new Fulbright programs

MideastReactivated Libya programReactivated Iraq programIsrael Outreach Program

AsiaIndonesian Presidential PhDIndonesia Tsunami ReliefIndonesia English Study Program

EuropeTurkeyNetherlandsRussia

South AmericaU.S. Chile Equal Opportunities Program

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Recruitment Challenges

Lack of outreach fosters a ‘not for me’sentimentLack of information about opportunitiesLimited academic preparedness to start university study

Limited English proficiencyLimited computer literacyAdditional academic preparation needed

Longer grant periodIn country preparationPre-academic interventions in U.S.Possibly longer time to complete degrees

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Outreach Strategies

American Corners

Opportunity Grantshelp international students of limited means with the up-front costs of applying for admission • Test prep and testing fees, applications costs, postage,

visa fees, travel, and even settling in costs

English Access Microscholarship ProgramOutreach out to a younger, potential audience• 14 to 18 year olds in 44 predominately Muslim countries

in Africa, MENA, and Central Asia

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Recruitment Strategies

Sponsor and Embassy staff visit universities

Send frequent announcements to universities

Work with targeted universities to build relationships

Ask faculty to identify promising candidates

Place English teaching assistants and English teaching fellows at underrepresented institutions

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Recruitment Strategies by U.S. Institutions

Visit EducationUSA centers

Offer to do an advising visit

Visit provincial areas and universities

Tell your departments about various programs and initiatives

Tap into faculty who may have affiliations with provincial institutions or remote areas

Provide cost sharing – ultimate benefits to universities

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Admissions ChallengesUniversity minimum requirements may not always be met

StudentsLimited English proficiencyLimited access to standardized testing

poor performance

Limited internet access to complete online applicationsLimited academic preparedness to start university study

Will require longer periods of pre-academic interventions

Need cost-sharing

UniversitiesReceiving incomplete applications

Missing scores, letters of reference, unfamiliar academic transcriptsApplication handwritten

Need a mechanism to Defer or waive test scoresConditionally or provisionally admitDefer admissions to a subsequent term

Need to offer pre-academic supports

Ability for pre-academic offices to work with departments

Provide cost-sharing

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Sponsor Provisions & Expectations

Provide extensive outreach and recruitment planProvide English language and other pre-academic activitiesMeet students at airportConduct joint IIE staff and IEP orientationAccompany up to security at airport at port of exitProvide direct monitoring and intervention in emergencyReport quarterly and emergency reporting

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Pre-academic Support & Services

Airport pick-upHousing assistanceOrientation geared toward populationExtensive intensive English offeringsProgram-specific needs assessmentAcademic preparedness and cultural adjustment – US systems

Campus and community support and outreachDiversity within U.S.

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Additional Supports for Sponsors and Students

Third-party expectations

Monitoring

Communication

Campus point-person

Development of personal relationship with student and academic department

Cultural exchange – getting students involved

on campus and in community

Special recognition events

Indonesia English Language Study Program (IELSP)

Outreach and Diversity in Indonesia

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Program Profile

U.S Department of State Sponsorship

Non-Fulbright, IIE and IIEF (IIE/Jakarta)

IIEF – Outreach and Recruitment

IIE/NY – U.S. Intensive English Programs (IEPs)

Ten cohorts of 20 students

September 2007 to December 2009

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Outreach Challenges

Rural, disabled, regions of political unrest (Ambon, Palu, Papua) and/or natural disasters

Population 250,000,000

18,000 islands, 350 ethnic groups

Fifty percent women

State universities outside Java

Islamic Universities and State Universities

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Student Profile2nd and 3d year undergraduate students

Intermediate levels of English

Committed to returning home

Mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive

Willing to fully participate in full-time academic program

Comfortable with campus life

Willing to make social and cultural adjustments to a different culture

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Outreach Plan

Travel and on-site presentationsPromotional tools – posters and brochures

Direct mailing to 95 universities All faculties and rectors’ offices

IELSP Website http://iie.org/ielspMedia – newspapers and radio

Collaboration with Indonesian organizations

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Selection

Four rounds of selection FY 2007

Two rounds of selection FY 2008

Three stages

Technical Review by IIEF (TOEFL ITP 470+)

Interviews in regional cities with regional selection panels (IIE, PAS, RELO, Fulbright alumni)

National Selection Committee – three leading

figures in education: English, academic and professional fields, community leaders

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Pre-departure, Travel, Orientation

Readings posted on the IELSP Website and in hard copy

Full pre-departure orientation by IIEF

Cohorts accompanied by chaperone and met at airport by IIE/NY and IEP staff

Complete program and campus orientation

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IIE/NY and IEP Sub-grantees

Seven in FY2007 and six in FY2008

8-week program with variety of start dates

Geographical diversity

Appropriate levels of study at IEP

Nurturing and responsible

Go the extra mile

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U.S. Program Description

Full time English language study (8 wks.)

Community-based activities

Contact with diverse Americans

Public service experience

Socio-cultural activities and supervised field trips

Host families

Conversation partners

Presentations on Indonesian culture

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Questions