PRE-ARRIVAL SUPPORT

International students have many of the same needs for information and assistance as domestic students to prepare for their first semester of study, but with substantially more complexity given the need to apply for a student visa, make travel and housing arrangements in Indianapolis while located abroad, take additional standardized tests for language placement - to name a few - often while navigating in a different cultural and academic environment, language, financial system, and time zone. International students therefore benefit

Examples of OIA's strategies pre-arrival support for international students

Offer virtual faculty seminars awarding certificates of participation for prospective and admitted students.
Host in-country pre-departure (yield) receptions. These help students build connections and confidence early; include IU Global and Indianapolis faculty and staff, as well as international alumni to help students prepare effectively for arrival and to make the most of the academic and career opportunities that they will have during their academic program.
A series of virtual, pre-arrival information sessions to introduce students to

ARRIVAL SUPPORT

Traveling to campus and settling into temporary and permanent housing can be a complex, expensive, and tiring process to navigate for any student, and particularly when traveling so far from home. Consider whether your unit has student ambassadors, organizations, or other resources that could assist incoming international students as they are arriving to Indianapolis and campus. Students frequently remember and appreciate small acts of kindness they receive during this challenging phase in their journey for years to come.

Some ideas could include

Are there student leaders who might share recommendations and local resources to help students navigate decisions about accommodations and transportation?
Is someone in the program available to pick them up from the airport?
Might you send them a special message wishing them a safe journey and excitement about their arrival?
How might you make your new student giveaway items useful/practical for students settling into new housing?

HELP STUDENTS GET ORIENTED & BUILD CONNECTIONS EARLY

Research and experiences from international students confirm that students who get connected with key information, people, and opportunities early in their experience are more confident, satisfied, and successful throughout the student lifecycle. When planning orientation and support for new students, consider whether your communications and marketing, events, and programming are designed with all students’ needs in mind. Keep international students’ basic needs in mind and assume that they may be arriving by themselves without family support. They may never have been to the United States or campus before, so activities that orient them to campus resources and Indianapolis can be very helpful. For example, keep in mind that students may not have cars and will need to figure out how to navigate both student life and daily living simultaneously. Do you provide a campus tour, and are basic living and academic needs for diverse students included? How are you engaging new students with peer leaders and exposing them to opportunities such as on-campus employment, career services, campus events, and student organizations during their onboarding process?

CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE STUDENT SUCCESS BEYOND ORIENTATION

Our effort to help students adjust to student life does not stop at orientation. Like all students, once international students get through their arrival to campus and initial settling-in process, they need to keep learning, adjusting, navigating new experiences and challenges beyond their initial orientation phase. Starting off on the right foot is highly important - especially when there is so much at stake and transition to navigate for students studying abroad. International students need to continuously engage in class, continue building relationships, and pursue new skills and opportunities throughout their academic program. We must keep finding ways to support international students' effectively as their knowledge and experience grows and their goals evolve.