The United States is one of the top destinations for international students seeking higher education. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the U.S. hosted over 1 million international students, the fastest enrollment growth rate it’s seen in 40 years. However, changing geopolitical dynamics have an impact on enrollment rates and international student success. Language barriers, accommodation, culture shock, and homesickness are just a few other challenges international students may face.
Therefore, it’s crucial for higher education institutions to focus on how they can best offer their support. Why? Because diversity enriches your institution in more ways than one. Their unique perspectives, traditions, and experiences enrich your campus and community. And an inclusive environment that values diversity opens doors to connections, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding.
Learn more about how higher education institutions can support international student success.
International students play an important role in many higher education institutions, through:
Their culture and diversity provide new perspectives and ideas that U.S. institutions can use to foster a globally inclusive academic environment. Their presence itself helps prepare domestic and international students for an increasingly interconnected world. Having a culturally rich campus even develops key workforce attributes. For instance, engaging with peers from different backgrounds broadens worldviews and builds cross-cultural communication skills — opening global networking opportunities.
Beyond academics, international students also make economic contributions. Many higher education institutions rely on tuition from international students as they often pay higher out-of-state or international fees. Some international students may pay more than two or three times the amount, depending on where and what they study. Their cost of living in the U.S. also fuels local economies through housing, internet, transport, dining, and retail.
Despite their many contributions, international students face unique challenges that require institutional support. These challenges can include:
International students bring invaluable diversity and fresh perspectives to higher education institutions. That said, they often encounter unique challenges that can impact their success and, potentially, their well-being. However, understanding these obstacles allows institution administrators and decision-makers to better develop support strategies.
International students may face these four common challenges during their higher education journey.
The U.S. immigration system can be complex. It requires international students to diligently adhere to student visa regulations to maintain their legal status. In the U.S., the F-1 or M-1 visas are the two main student visas. The J-1 visa classification is another option. International learners must understand them to comply with their institution’s enrollment requirements.
Additionally, they must stay informed of any visa policy changes that may affect their stay. While some higher education institutions may inform their foreign learners of such changes, not all do.
The uncertainty surrounding immigration policies can add significant stress, as even minor infractions may jeopardize their ability to continue their education. For instance, recent political shifts have led to heightened concerns about potential changes in visa policies, causing anxiety among the international student community.
Language proficiency is a common hurdle for many international students, particularly those for whom English is not a first language. Even with fair English language skills, understanding academic jargon and participating in conversations in a different language can be intimidating.
Additionally, educational systems vary globally. As such, international students may have to face unforeseen challenges, like adjusting to different:
While many will become accustomed, the adjustment period does differ per student, which can affect their academic performance and confidence.
Acclimating to a new language isn’t the only adjustment — international students must also adapt to a new cultural environment. They may experience new:
The culture shock might leave some learners feeling homesick or even isolated — and the absence of familiar support systems can exacerbate these emotions. It’s thus essential for institutions to offer student resources that foster cultural integration and community building. These resources and programs can bridge cultural gaps and provide a sense of belonging.
Although international students can contribute to the institution’s diversity, it comes with a cost. As minorities within the student body, they might face microaggressions or discrimination, which, in the end, can affect their mental health and academic success.
That’s why institution decision-makers must create an inclusive campus climate. Students, faculty, and staff must be culturally competent or receive appropriate training.
Higher educational institutions need to take a proactive approach to address these challenges. Implementing support strategies for international students ensures their academic success — as well as an inclusive social environment and culturally rich and welcoming campus.
Consider implementing these five strategies to help international students, their academics, and retention rates.
Implementing an international student program is a great place to start. The main goal of an international student orientation (ISO) program is to help ease the transitioning phase into higher education life in a different country.
Traditional orientation programs, also known as orientation week, create familiarity with the institution’s regulations and academic standards — and introduce new students to each other. There are various events held during this orientation period, each providing students with the necessary tools and knowledge to enhance their academic journey.
However, unlike standard orientations, these ISO programs can go beyond general campus introductions. The focus is solely on the specific needs of international students. Institution decision-makers can customize this concept to include topics such as:
In conjunction with the above, there are various other orientation tactics — online and in-person — to consider. You can implement these ideas pre- or post-student arrival:
Many international students may struggle with adapting to both new academic and cultural settings. But pairing them with local students or experienced international students through a structured mentoring program can make all the difference while adding a personal touch.
You may also know this strategy as a “buddy program.” It’s a strategy that can tackle more than one challenge that international students may face, such as cultural differences, language barriers, or social isolation. Peer-to-peer mentoring aims to:
Mentoring international students can be simple. Here are three simple steps institutions can follow to implement a mentoring program:
A language barrier between international students and their peers, lecturers, and staff may result in a few disadvantages ranging from academic to social or cultural challenges. However, institutions can help by offering language support services, such as:
Additionally, there may be a disconnect between what international students and teachers are thinking. As such, here are a few communication tips lecturers must remember:
Create various opportunities on your campus for cultural exchanges. Cultural integration initiatives allow students from different cultural backgrounds to come together.
Providing such opportunities can help international students feel more connected to their new environment while promoting global awareness among domestic students. There are various types of initiatives to consider, such as:
International students face numerous unique academic and personal challenges at higher education institutions. However, institutional decision-makers can provide them with specialized advising and counseling services from day one and offer them as frequently as possible. This way, international students are aware of where and how to seek support if needed. The key components of a strong support system include:
Technology can be highly resourceful in helping international students succeed at your institution — and there are various tech solutions that may help address their unique challenges. Some solutions may offer features that allow:
By adopting technology-driven strategies, higher education institutions can create a responsive, data-informed support system that empowers their international students to succeed academically and personally. With the right tools in place, institutions can ensure their international students feel supported, which may help with retention and success rates.
Watermark’s Student Success & Engagement solution makes it easy to track student progress, provide timely interventions, and promote a sense of belonging. Request a demo today to learn how Watermark can help with smarter, data-driven solutions.
