2. Overview
1. What strategies would you suggest in order to
promote integration of these students into both
the School of Business and GW as a whole?
2. What specific factors need to be taken into
account?
Literature Supported Action
Research on Peer Programs
3. Literature Review
● Initial Transition to U.S. & Barriers to
Adjustment
● English Language Proficiency
● Social Stressors & Cultural Adjustment
5. Lit. Review | Barriers
“Compared to their domestic counterparts, international students
tend to experience greater adjustment difficulties and more
distress during their initial transition into the university and
report greater academic and career needs (Hechanova-
Alampay, Beehr, Christiansen, & Van Horn, 2002; Leong &
Sedlacek, 1989; Van Oudenhoven & Van der Zee, 2002).”
6. Lit. Review | English
“English language proficiency is an important factor
in predicting students' academic achievement. For
example, language proficiency is positively
correlated with freshmen academic performance
(Stoynoff, 1997).”
7. Lit. Review | Stressors
“While students from a more individualistic culture
may identify with the U.S. mainstream culture, the ones
from a more collectivist culture may feel distant
(Swagler & Ellis, 2003; Triandis, 1991)”
8. Implications
Initial Transition & Barriers to Adjustment
- comprehensive orientation program
- contact with co-nationals
English Language Proficiency
- remedial coursework
- interaction w/faculty
Social Stressors & Adjustment
- satisfying contact w/host culture
- peer-to-peer program
9. Recommendations
● Know thy responsibilities.
● ISO & the Advising Center
● Co-national mentorship
● Faculty partnerships
● American peer interactions
10. References
Abe, J., Talbot, D.M. & Geelhoed, R.J. (1998) Effects of a Peer Program on International Student
Adjustment. Journal of College Student Development, 39(6), 539-547.
Church, A. T. (1982). Sojourner adjustment. Psychological Bulletin, 91, 540-572.
Kaczmarek, P.G., Matlock, G., Merta, R., Ames, M.H., & Ross, M. (1994). An assessment of
international college student adjustment. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 17,
241-247.
Poyrazli, S. & Grahame, K. M. (2007). Barriers to adjustment: needs of international students within a
semi-urban campus community. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 34(1), 28-45.
Questions, comments, or responses?