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International Students

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Nathaniel Mekuria

ENGLISH 1102

Professor Weaver

April 23, 2022

 

Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting and transformative journeys of a student’s life. It offers a chance to experience new cultures, make lifelong friendships, and gain a unique perspective on the world. However, it’s not always rainbows and butterflies for international students as they face a myriad of challenges while pursuing their dreams of quality education in a foreign land, particularly in the USA for this research. From navigating financial hurdles to overcoming language barriers and adapting to new school systems and customs, the road to success can be tough. This essay will look at these struggles and discuss possible solutions to help international students overcome these problems, making their time abroad more enjoyable and successful.

International students almost always show great dedication and strong academic skills, making them stand out as top students in their home countries. They often go through tough selection processes that demand high grades and outstanding commitment to their education. However, financial struggles can significantly hinder their progress and overall experience. The article by Chow and Choi (2019) refers to the challenges that international students face in paying for their education and living expenses while studying abroad. These financial struggles can include high tuition fees, expensive living costs, and limited access to financial aid. The authors say that “currency exchange rates also play a significant role in the financial challenges faced by international students. The fluctuation of exchange rates, particularly when a home currency loses value compared to the U.S. dollar, can have a significant impact on the affordability of education and living expenses” (p. 53). International students who mainly depend on their parents or their savings that are in another country’s currency now have to pay more in their home currency to pay for their education and life expenses.

Another big financial struggle international students go through is their limited access to scholarships and grants. In an article by Arthur, N, named International Journal of intercultural relations, Arthur (2017) explains that international students are less likely than domestic students to earn scholarships and other forms of financial aid. The author notes that universities in many countries, including the United States, have limited resources available for international students. According to a journal by Business Insider, International students end up paying up to three times more than in-state students at public universities (https://www.businessinsider.com/). This is due to several reasons, including the fact that many scholarships and grants are only available to citizens or permanent residents of a particular country. Additionally, international students may face language barriers or cultural differences that can make it more difficult for them to navigate the scholarship and financial aid application process. As a result, many international students must rely on personal savings, loans, or financial assistance from their families to finance their education.

To finance their education, these students consider alternative methods to cover their expenses. In the article mentioned above by Arthur, N, In the author’s explanation, it is revealed that some international students use creative strategies to deal with their financial difficulties. Some of these strategies include finding temporary employment options (part-time jobs), reducing their outflow, or even looking for financial assistance from close friends back home. The study also raises the potential that some students turn to unconventional or illegal means of covering fees, including but not limited to working beyond the scope of allowed employment and engaging in unlawful activities. Although these techniques may provide temporary comfort, they may have negative impacts on the student’s intellectual and personal growth. Arthur emphasizes the need for university educational institutions and government agencies to be engaged in making policies to provide nurturing.

Addressing the financial struggles of international students has become an increasingly important issue as more students choose to study abroad for their higher education. One way institutions can help alleviate these concerns is by providing various support mechanisms. As Shah and Nair (2018) state, “scholarships, financial counseling, and work-study opportunities” can significantly contribute to helping international students manage their financial concerns during their studies (376). By offering scholarships, universities can reduce the financial burden faced by these students, making it easier for them to focus on their education. Financial counseling services can also help international students navigate the complexities of tuition payments, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying abroad. Moreover, work-study opportunities allow students to earn money while they study, further reducing the financial stress they experience. Universities should also work together to develop accessible and affordable housing options and minimize accommodation costs.

Students who travel to foreign countries to seek education experience struggles and challenges that are life changing.  As much as it is an opportunity for growth and a chance to explore new and unique cultures, most of what these students face is far harsher than that of domestic students. Universities and colleges should address the financial struggles of international students, as it is the biggest challenge they face. A variety of merit-based scholarships, as there aren’t enough for international students now, better-paying work-study opportunities, because these students are not allowed to work out of campus by law, and financial counseling to help students with their expenses are a few implemented steps in a few universities to help these students.  Universities that invite and educate international students should work toward creating affordable education and housing for students. These students are great investments and universities not only ensure their own growth and success but also contribute to the intellectual, social, and economic development of the host country.

 

 

 

 

Work Cited

Chow, Peter, and Sunnie Choi. “The Financial Burden of International Students in Higher Education: A Global Perspective.” Journal of International Students, vol. 9, no. 1, 2019, pp. 50-68.

Arthur, N. (2017). Financial challenges faced by international students: Strategies for adaptation. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 61, 109-124.Top of Form

Friedman, Zachary and Shira Spector. “Foreign students pay up to three times as much for tuition at US public colleges.” Business Insider, 19 Sept. 2016, https://www.businessinsider.com/foreign-students-pay-up-to-three-times-as-much-for-tuition-at-us-public-colleges-2016-9. Accessed 22 Apr. 2023.

Shah, Mahsood, and Chenicheri Sid Nair. “The role of institutional support in addressing the financial concerns of international students.” Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, vol. 40, no. 4, 2018, pp. 376-390.

 

 

 

 

 

St. Thomas

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Nathaniel Mekuria

March 19, 2023

Professor Weaver

Major Project 3

Summary:

St. Thomas University is a private, Catholic university that was founded in 1885. The university’s website shows different undergraduate and graduate programs across a wide range of disciplines, including business, education, engineering, law, social work, and more (https://www.stthomas.edu/). Overall, the St. Thomas University website appears to be targeting students who are academically motivated and socially engaged. The university offering all these educational programs and also different diversity programs, suggests their intended audience is students who value their education and celebrate diversity.  Saying this, their ideal readers would be ones looking for inclusion and education. The university uses the APSTARC strategy of purpose and the Rhetorical strategy of ideal readers to appeal to students.

 

Analysis:

Although being a catholic university, upon analyzing the St. Thomas University website, it appears that the university is looking to attract a diverse group of students who are academically motivated, socially engaged, and committed to making a positive impact in their communities.

The website prominently features information about the university’s academic programs, including detailed descriptions of each program. The university states its purpose throughout the website, it uses this APSTARC strategy to effectively communicate its goals to its prospective students.  The first thing you look at upon entering the website is a huge quote saying, “Higher education with a higher calling” (STU Home). As u scroll down the front page of the website, it shows the different programs it has and how it has been successful in making sure its students end up with a job after their time at St. Thomas. The website also displays pictures of different career fairs they have, their internship listings, and showing their workshops. They try to show their students that they are preparing for their future careers and will gain practical experience. Highlighting their academic programs and showing their previous student’s success, the purpose of all this is to appeal to its intended audience of students who are interested in exploring different academic disciplines and want to learn about the specific courses and use resources available to them.

Another strategy the college seems to be using is a rhetorical strategy of assuming its ideal readers or viewers of the website are looking for an engaging and comfortable campus life. The website features information about the university’s student organizations, athletics, campus events, and other aspects of campus life. The cover page of the website reveals their new basketball and hockey arena called “Lee and Penny Anderson Arena” which took a groundbreaking 75 million dollars to construct. (STU Home). By hovering over to the campus life section of the website, it advertises the 130+ different clubs, traditions, and organizations it has, the university also emphasizes its dining service, which offers “fresh and nitrous food”, their sustainability, transportation which includes a campus shuttle, and how the safety of its students is a top priority (STU Campus life). This strategy appeals to ideal readers who are looking for a vibrant and engaging campus community, and who want to get involved in extracurricular activities outside of the classroom.

The university also wants its ideal readers to know is actively working to promote diversity on campus and that they have specific resources available to make sure it happens. The first page of the website holds a picture of students from different races holding each other and below it features a quote “Our commitment to Diversity and…Inclusion” to show that the hostility of these diverse students is one of their priorities (STU Home). By hovering over to the campus life section, the university assures its readers that they promote diversity by featuring information about the university’s LGBTQIA+ community, mentioning a Multicultural Affairs office, which provides resources and support for students of “diverse backgrounds”, and its diversity and inclusion council (STU Mission). The website also wants students who are interested in athletics, it lists extensive information about the athletic program it offers and the resources it has for its athletes.

Saint Thomas University’s website uses a variety of images of its campus to showcase its beautiful building, facilities, and green scenery. The university inserts pictures of the campus and its buildings, starting from the front cover and way into missions, admissions, and the info center (STU). The pointy roofs and the high-top ceilings give the university a middle-aged, gothic aesthetic. Considering this is home for most students for the next coming years, the physical feel of the campus does matter. The university uses its unique architecture and culture to attract students by creating a positive first impression and feeling excited about attending the university.

 

St Thomas Campus

St Thomas Campus

Response:

            If the university was affordable and was in Georgia, it would be in my top three, from what I can see on the college’s website, it appears to be an excellent institution that values diversity, commits to academic excellence, and creates opportunities for its students. The three values I hold most from the exercise we did in class were: Ambition, ethical behavior, and peace. The university pushes students to aim high and helps them pursue their goals in very many ways. Throughout the website, I noticed that the university highly encourages students to act with ethical behavior. One way the university demonstrates this is through its mission statement, which states that it is committed to “fostering a learning environment that develops students’ intellectual and ethical virtues” (STU Mission). Overall, from my personal research on the university website, Saint Thomas looks like a very well-rounded University. It is well above my standard and does not have anything to push me away from it, besides being out of state and expensive.

 

Work Cited:

 University of St. Thomas – Minnesota, https://www.stthomas.edu/.

Kayla Graham

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The below writing is the synopsis of my interview with Kayla Graham. Kayla is a first-year pre-med nursing student at Georgia State University, and her journey to get to where she is now is evidence of her determination and versatility. Born with Jamaican roots, Kayla grew up in a strict household where academics were highly valued. However, it wasn’t until she joined the National Guard that she truly valued her education. Despite going through high school just because she had to be there, Kayla is now determined to finish what she started. She says that is evolving, learning to “enjoy” the academic process, and embracing the opportunities that college has to offer.

Out of the three words I asked Kayla to describe herself with, the first one was discipline. Kayla attributes the army as being her biggest motivator, shaping her into the disciplined individual she is today. Kayla was initially intimidated by the pressure of academic expectations but soon realized that her military background had prepared her well. She began to embrace the learning process and started to appreciate the results of her discipline and hard work.

Kayla’s interests are far-reaching, in addition to her academics, Kayla has a passion for aesthetics, graphics and design, and she has already completed her certification as an esthetician. In addition, Kayla is a spiritual person, which has helped her maintain balance in her life. Hence why the second word she used to describe herself is broad.

Kayla’s third word to describe herself was evolving. She has come a long way from just wanting to attend high school because she had to, to now being determined to finish what she started and fulfill her goal of becoming a nurse and her realizing that learning can be enjoyable. Kayla believes that her determination and discipline will overcome the challenges she is set to face. As Dr. Stephen Chew said in his principles to develop a mindset for learning video, Kayla aspires to find value in what she is studying to do her best in it.

In conclusion, I asked Kayla, why college? Kayla answered by saying that College was a chance for her to evolve and try new things and she decided to embrace it. She hopes that the obstacles that are to come, like the ones she has faced before, will help her continue to grow and evolve. For me, Kayla’s background really shows that a positive attitude, an open mind, and determination could help someone grow as an individual. She is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and discipline.

 

Sources:

  • Kayla Graham, pair interview transcript, January 2022
  • Chew, Stephen. Https://Www.samford.edu/Departments/Academic-Success-Center/How-to-Study.