Supporting International Students in U.S. Higher Education - new book

Darbi L. Roberts and Ravichandran Ammigan saw a need for a resource for student affairs educators and they filled it with an impressive list of chapter contributors in their book, Supporting International Students in U.S. Higher Education: A Theory-Based Approach. Now available, the description reads, "The book explores practical and strategic implications of a more integrative approach to international student support both inside and outside of the classroom, while also utilizing a critical lens in applying models that were originally built for predominantly white institutions and US citizens."

The critical factors of 1) inclusive rather than exclusionary cultures and practices, 2) critical examination of theory and practice to respond to diverse cultural backgrounds of students, and 3) partnership among student affairs educators and international educators are artfully addressed in ways no authors have previously attempted. International students are a valuable resource and should be treasured for the perspective they bring to US institutions. It's time to move away from seeing them as "exceptional" or "other," a move that will enhance their US learning experiences as well as all those who fully engage them.

International students comprise a large proportion of graduate school enrollment in U.S. institutions and addressing how to better support them is included in Roberts and Ammigan's book. Roshni Rao of Johns Hopkins University offers complementary advice to international scholars which includes self-advocacy that highlights the value each brings to the institutions where they study and serve. Sherry Wang and Merab Mushfiq offered similar advice and added the importance of assisting international students with career advice. Deborah Saki recommended "decentering oneself" as international graduate students strive to connect with U.S. domestic students. Saki comments, "it simply argues for the recognition of the value and contributions of all students and genuine interest in everyone's capacity to advance teaching and learning goals."

This book couldn't be more timely after revelation that the U.S. News cut factors related to international students in their rankings. Doing so demonstrates a major point of Supporting International Students... that international students should not only be the responsibility of internationalists but that success results where institutions adopt a highly integrated approach.