1. DeVry Newsletter - Home Away from Home
http://apps.devry.com/the-educator/summer2014/ReachingOut.html[7/29/2014 5:23:14 PM]
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INDEX
News From Around DVU
Living the Brand
Doing Well By Doing Good
Reaching Out
Home Away from Home
Teaching Our Future
On to Greatness
Five Questions with...
Socially Speaking
Home Away from Home
JoAnn Stack, contributing writer
New York is a melting pot, and the make-up of the student body at the Manhattan campus
reflects that with a large international population. International students have the unique
challenges of adapting to a new country and its culture, along with being homesick for family
who may be on the other side of the world.
Anthony Stanziani, New York metro president, wanted international students to feel a part of the
college. Under the guidance of Toral Bhatt, director of graduate admissions, the FUSION club
was created.
The club uses a supportive environment to promote diversity through multicultural events.
Events have included DeVry’s Got Talent, an international fashion show and a holiday potluck,
each of which was designed to help students feel a sense of home and celebrate different
cultures. Members are encouraged to bring friends and spread the word.
Although there are many social aspects to FUSION, the club also helps members with practical
issues such as housing. The club has also invited legal experts to speak about next steps after
graduation, including the requirements for obtaining a work visa.
Making international students feel at home begins with the admissions process. After meeting
with an advisor, prospective students also meet with Bhatt, who knows several languages. “Just
being able to say hello in the students’ native language puts them at ease and makes them feel
less intimidated,” she said. Bhatt spends time discussing FUSION and establishing rapport.

2. DeVry Newsletter - Home Away from Home
http://apps.devry.com/the-educator/summer2014/ReachingOut.html[7/29/2014 5:23:14 PM]
Building on those positive feelings, Bhatt and her admissions team contact “promoters” based
on the results from the after-class NPS (Net Promoter Score) survey. “Promoters” are students
who’ve had a good experience at DeVry and would recommend the college to others. “One
student recommended three of his brothers,” added Bhatt. “Not only is it a good way to grow our
college organically, but it’s also a good way to build a community for these students.”