After the rush of activities associated with a new semester rolling-in and a sea of new students needing help as they try to get acclimated to their new environment, Ms. Asma Omer, International Student Advisor at Stratford University, was able to carve-out some time to sit down and talk with the team at eCommunityHub (eCH).
Stratford university’s 400 plus International student population represents quite a kaleidoscope of countries of the world: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, Nepal, Nigeria and other Western African states, Egypt, Iran (more recently), Kazakhstan, Turkey, Malaysia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Caribbean Islands, Bermuda.
eCH Blogger: What is one thing that you absolutely love about your job. One that puts a smile on your face and can help counter a bad day in progress
Ms. Omer: Ultimately, it is the huge difference that I can see that I am making with International students. I have counseled both domestic and International students and, whereas there is similarity in the job duties, there is one big difference: the guidance I provide to International students makes a huge difference in their new lives in a country where everything is new for them compared to domestic students.
The small things that all of us take for granted are an eye-opener for International students. Hence the guidance I provide is critical for these new entrants to our country.
An International student advisor is like a teacher lending a hand in teaching a person. The next day the students are one lesson smarter. So too are my students, they are one lesson smarter to embark on their new journey.
eCH Blogger: What is one thing that you wish you could change or improve. More importantly, one that you wish you could do better delegating to technology or someone else
Ms. Omer: I’d like to see more technology. Millennials coming-in are quite tech savvy and are used to doing things on their own. I’d like to see more technology to help the incoming students be self-sufficient.
University sanctioned resources like website are not built to be quick and nimble to keep up with the activity or continuous-changing support demanded by students.
For example, after we created our Facebook page, we saw students use it to find roommates, to arrange for rides.
However, Facebook interface is not ideal. Students are captive to the newsfeed algorithm in terms of what news items they will see. Also, older posts on Facebook get pushed down as new ones are posted. Students can miss an important update because they did not scroll down or the algorithm did not deem it important to serve them. Also there is no search capability.
eCH Blogger: Being an International advisor, you are constantly dealing with young people from all over the world, each with their own unique stories. But there are some problems that most, if not all, International students face. If you could be a fairy God-mother to them, what are some of the common problems that you would resolve or worries that you would take away from them
Ms. Omer: Although our students are from a variety of countries but one thing that is common is that they and their families have made great effort for them to be here. They come with a purpose to get an education. But I see how many of them struggle with small things that we take for granted.
For example, language. English is not the first language so they have to work extra hard at school and outside. They look for familiar things that they left behind at home like food, similar values among friends, cultural events and so on. What is also new is our system of education. Most may be used to a mid-term and a final exam at the end of the year. They struggle with constant demand of homework, pop-quizzes and continual tests in U.S. universities.
So, if I were a fairy Godmother, I would wish for them to have the same level playing field when they arrive. I wish they would find friendships, cultural events and food items that they miss and that the education system not be a surprise to them.
In short of this, I would make it easy for them to collaborate, reach-out and mix with people more easily so their spirits are buoyed through their difficult times here.
eCH Blogger: Tell us a little about Alumni. How much of a role do they play in your job. Do you succeed in keeping them engaged with the college once they leave?
Ms. Omer: I spend 25% – 50% of the time talking to alumni, typically from 1 to 3 years after they graduate. Most of the time they have OPT and other visa related questions. Sometimes the nature of their questions relate to a sibling or a cousin seeking admission.
eCH Blogger: Do they reach-out to offer help in case there is a job opportunity in their company? Do you think they care to stay engaged if there was a better way to keep them interested and in the loop?
Ms. Omer: We’ve had a few instances where they did. But typically, they don’t stay in touch beyond the first few years.
I do believe that if university could give them something like an alumni portal where they could stay in touch with each other, it would definitely keep them more engaged.
Our Facebook page does not appeal to them because that is filled mostly with news targeted to new or current students. It is not for alumni.
I would rate a community portal for alumni 4 out of 5 in its usefulness to alumni and university, which can then monitor activity and engage as appropriate.
eCH Blogger: What are some of the common problems faced by students who are already enrolled and well in their way into their program
Ms. Omer: Existing students have already gotten over the hump of initial adjustment. Their problems are in the nature of finding roommates, getting help in classes, finding activities and clubs outside of their studies.
Typically, university websites are one-way focused, giving students information. They are not geared for collaboration. Students turn to bulletin boards in campus or social media.
But I do not see much activity as I anticipate there should be. I think one reason is that the social media networks are one size fit for all types of audience. They have not modified their product for students. Facebook’s interface is the same regardless of who you are or what your needs maybe. This leaves a gap in how people use them beyond simple tasks liking and commenting on posts or sharing pictures.
eCH Blogger: Every college wants to attract prospective students. Without giving away any secrets, what steps do you think work well and what can be improved
Ms. Omer: Prospective students are very important to us. Like all other universities, we spend a lot of resources marketing to prospective students and their parents.
What has worked well are the some of the same things that have worked well for other universities. I visit different countries and arrange to meet with potential students. We update our website with typical questions asked by students. Our Facebook page is also visited by prospective students.
Updates to our website are more controlled and have to go through some rigorous checks. It is not easy to make quick changes to the web site.
Facebook posts is one way but it cannot be controlled. What if a student gave an erroneous answer to a visa questioned asked by a prospective student.
Our existing students are our best brand ambassadors. We get new students through word-of-mouth. But it is limited to families and friends of existing students. Their voice is not heard by people outside their circle. I would like to have a controlled environment where our existing student can speak to people outside their circle of influence.
If this secured environment could be taken to the web, it would be extremely useful in attracting new students.