Add the local community to the mix in welcoming international students

A research study conducted in Findlay, Ohio, determined that local businesses and citizens had mixed views of the international students who were attending college in the community. Jamienne McKee's research indicated that locals had a variety of views that could result in international students feeling less than welcome. Her co-presenter at the NAFSA conference, Patrick Lilja, indicated that colleges and universities could help by educating the local community on the economic benefit of international students' presence and by purposefully bringing community members together with them. Efforts directed at improving the climate both on and off campus are essential in order for international students to feel comfortable engaging with others outside of their cultural group, the kind of behavior that leads to everyone's enhanced educational outcomes as well as satisfaction in cultural exchange.