Growing services and programming with the arrival of Saudi scholarship students

-Michele Bowman, Director, ESL Program, Cleveland State University-Kathleen Romstedt, Director, American Language Program, Ohio State University-Hugh McGuigan, Director of International Studies, Valparaiso University

Curricular Issues

• Two basic challenges

1) Very low proficiency

2) Mid-high proficiency, but desired to study for a full year

Curricular Issues

• The Solutions

1) For low proficiency students -- tutoring help

2) For those who want to continue for three quarters -- be creative with the curriculum

Curricular Issues

• The results after the first year

The Good -- We meet the needs of a broader

range of students

The Bad -- The changes required curriculum work that seemed at times to be ad hoc

The Ugly -- Some students anchored themselves to the program and wouldn't leave

• Plans for the future

Orientation and AcculturationOrientation• Airport pick up volunteer group. (not new, but last minute

requests have caused some problems)• Specialized information during Information Session International Student Services Director tailors

comments for the group.Housing. Program assistant (PA) collected information and

made personal contacts with area apartment building management representatives.

Orientation and Acculturation

• Updated area information

ShoppingRestaurantsMuseumsTransportation

Extracurricular

PA started a brown-bag discussion time • "What to expect in the American university

classroom"

• "Dealing with differences between cultures and culture shock"

Weekend information e-mail. • On- and off-campus activities • Most are free or relatively inexpensive.

Cultural/Religious Issues

• Prayer time: class schedules

• Prayer room: space availability

• Holidays: Ramadan

Cultural/Religious Issues

• International Night

• Saudi Cultural night

Discussion

What have you done at your school?

What has worked or not worked?

Session Leaders

• Michele S. Bowman, Ph.D, Director, ESL Program Cleveland State University. m.s.bowman@csuohio.edu

• Kathleen Romstedt, Ph.D., Director, ALP, Ohio State University. romstedt.1@osu.edu

• Hugh E. McGuigan, Ph.D., Director of International Services, Valparaiso University. hugh.mcguigan@valpo.edu