Academic Advising at International Student Orientation:

30 Days of Success

Justin Repici Sally Solomon

Northeastern University March 9, 2016

Northeastern University

• 10,000+ International Students • 6th most in the US and most in New England • 10-20% year to year growth past 10 years

• 2015 - 2016 Presentations

• Fall Session 1: 350+ freshmen international • Fall Session 2: 100+ transfer international • Spring: 80+ international

First World Series • 1903 at Huntington Grounds • Boston 5 games – Pittsburgh 3 games

Name Institution Country of Origin Languages Role

1. 2. 3. 4.

A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I.

Side 1 Side 2 Questions For You

2-Sided Card Activity

Questions For You

Side 1

• Name (First and Last)

• Institution

• Country of origin

• What languages do you speak

• Your role regarding international student support

Side 1 – Questions For You 1. List 1-2 things that you find most rewarding

working with international students.

2. List 1-2 challenges you have encountered working with international students.

3. List 1-2 areas where your institution excels in working with international students.

4. List 1-2 areas your institution still needs to develop for international students.

Side 2 – Questions For You A. What are 1 or 2 steps international students

should take to be academically successful in their first 30 days?

B. What resources on campus are most important for international students during their first 30 days on campus?

C. What are 1 or 2 reasons international students should meet with academic advisors?

Meet someone new and share your thoughts – 2-3 minutes.

C.U.B.

Connect. Understand. Balance. We are going to take you through some practical steps

as you journey from cub to bear.

Connect positively with people and resources on campus and in Boston

Understand how and why education in the U.S. and Northeastern may be different

Find Balance between academics and social life

Connect with People

30 Day Challenge: Exchange social media with someone new

Connect with Academic Advisors

Top 5 Reasons • Develop semester by semester academic plan • Explore programs of study and requirements • Discuss career goals, ideas, dreams, and future • Connect with resources • Other _______________ (for you to complete)

30 Day Challenge: Meet with your academic advisor

Connect with Instructors

• Get to know professors • Attend office hours • Schedule appointments • Meet teaching assistants

30 Day Challenge: Attend professor office hours

Connect with Class Experience

• Attend class and be on-time • Understand your syllabus • Participate and contribute • Complete homework on time • Ask questions • Join study groups • Take and review notes

30 Day Challenge: Ask a student in class out for lunch

Connect with Student Mentors

• Global Student Mentors • College Mentors • Department Mentors • Informal Mentors • CSSH Circle

Visit “Peer Circles” poster session March 10 @ 2pm

30 Day Challenge: Ask a mentor about their NU experience

Connect with Tools

30 Day Challenge: Explore myNeu and run a degree audit

Connect with Tools

“Student Bill of Academic Rights” and “Student Responsibilities”

Connect with Resources

30 Day Challenge: Attend at least 2 ISSI Carnevale events

Peer Tutoring

International Tutoring Center

Connect with You

30 Day Challenge: Take 15 minutes of “me time”

Connect.

People Academic Advisors

Instructors Class Experience Student Mentors

Tools Resources

You

D. What day of the week is “R”?

E. GPA – Grade Point Average: What does a B– equal on a 4.000 scale?

F. List 1 or 2 strategies you use in advising international students. How are the strategies different or similar from advising domestic students?

Side 2 – Questions For You

D. What day of the week is “R”?

E. GPA – Grade Point Average: What does a B– equal on a 4.000 scale?

F. List 1 or 2 strategies you use in advising international students. How are the strategies different or similar from advising domestic students?

Side 2 – Questions For You

E. GPA – Grade Point Average: Calculate.

Side 2 – Questions For You Class Grade Credit

Hours GPA Quality

Points BIOL1101 B- 4

ENGW1111 A- 4

ECON1115 B+ 4

ACCT1203 B 4

College Seminar A 1

Cumulative GPA 3.216

Quality Points / Credits 54.668 / 17

=

x

x

x

x

x

GPA

2.666

3.666

3.333

3.000

4.000

Quality Points 10.668

14.668

13.332

12.000

4.000

Please form a small group, introduce yourselves,

and discuss your answers. (2-3 minutes)

F. List 1 or 2 strategies you use in advising

international students. How are the strategies different or similar from advising domestic students?

Side 2 – Questions For You

Understand.

Higher Education Shock

U.S. Culture Shock

Academic Culture Shock

Understand – Academic Differences Office Hours: Walk-ins vs. Appointments

“Why did I need to sign up? I thought you said they were walk-in office hours.”

Advisors, Faculty and Mentors “What kinds of questions can I ask my professor? Do I really need their help?”

Academic Honesty “The professor said we could help each other. How much sharing is okay?”

Assessments “Multiple choice is so difficult. One small word leads to the wrong answer.”

Classroom Discussion “I am not used to raising my hand and speaking in class.

By the time I think of something to say someone else said it.”

Understand - Academic Integrity

30 Day Challenge: Understand citations and collaboration

Understand.

U.S. Education System Culture Shock

Academic Differences Academic Integrity

Balance.

Side 2 – Questions For You

G. List 1 or 2 study habits you find successful. List 1 or 2 study habits you want to improve.

H. List 1 activity or group you plan to join at NU.

I. On a scale of 1 to 5, how well do you balance your academic and social time? And why? {1 = No Balance . . . 5 = Very Balanced}

Social Academics

Balance – Academics and Social

Balance – Academics and Social

Academics • Who planned your daily schedule? • Was attendance required? • Do you study last minute or well in advance?

Social • Did you have a consistent sleep schedule? • Did you work, volunteer, or participate in

student organizations? • Did you ever say “no” to a social invitation?

Social Academics

Balance.

Taking Care of Yourself

Study Space 300+ Student Clubs Roommates 4+ Classes

Marino Center

16,000 Undergrads

Time Management Study Habits

Syllabus

Attendance

Academic Calendar

Orientation Welcome Week

Activities Fair Volunteer Fair

Boston

Social Media

Grades

Labs and Recitations

Quizzes, Tests, Exams, Papers, Projects

Portfolios

Tutoring Streaming Video and Games

Life in Home Country

Balance.

Academics Social Activities

Bookmark Challenge

30 Day Follow-up

30 Day Challenge: Attend the International Student Mixer on 2/5

Fall Reception

Spring Mixer

Side 1 – Questions For Students

• Name • Id Number • College • Major

1. Since you arrived, what is 1 thing that has surprised you about Boston or Northeastern?

2. List 1 question you still have about Boston.

3. List 1 question you still have about Northeastern.

A. What are 1 or 2 steps you will take to be academically successful in the next 30 days?

B. What resources on campus will be most important to connect with during your first 30 days at Northeastern?

C. What are 1 or 2 reasons why you would meet with an academic advisor?

Side 2 – Questions For Students

D. What day of the week is “R”?

E. GPA – Grade Point Average: What does a B– equal on a 4.000 scale?

F. List 1 or 2 differences between your previous school and Northeastern. List 1 or 2 similarities.

Side 2 – Questions For Students

G. List 1 or 2 study habits you find successful. List 1 or 2 study habits you want to improve.

H. List 1 activity or group you plan to join at NU.

I. On a scale of 1 to 5, how well do you balance your academic and social time? And why? {1 = No Balance . . . 5 = Very Balanced}

Side 2 – Questions For Students

Connect. Understand. Balance.

Connect with Us Justin Repici

Coordinator of International Student Programs | Academic Advisor j.repici@neu.edu

Sally Solomon Student Persistence Specialist

s.solomon@neu.edu

College of Social Sciences and Humanities www.neu.edu/cssh

International Student & Scholar Institute www.neu.edu/issi