There’s an article (thanks, Neale) in the Chronicle of Higher Education that follows the experience of a group of Indian graduate students who come to U.S. universities to do graduate work in engineering schools. This particular case study deals with NC State in Raleigh, North Carolina, a town I got to know pretty well from my days at Duke.
Because support for foreign students isn’t part of NC State’s “land grant” mandate, the university gives very little support to these students, most of whom are entering the U.S. for the first time at RDU airport. As a result the students themselves organize an extensive support organization called Maitri, which provides online support to the students before they come, arranges airport pick-ups, and even shares housing temporarily until proper dorm or apartment housing is available. But what struck me was the orientation volunteer arranged by the university:
Last they went to the Office of International Services for a brief informational session delivered by a blond, ruddy-cheeked volunteer, whose first announcement was to make clear that she was not being paid to do what she was doing. “I’m doing this because I love you,” she emphasized. “I don’t know you, but I love you.”
She commenced going over a printed schedule for the coming week. “On Friday, August 18, will be orientation. You. Must. Be. There,” she said slowly, closing off the final consonants. “I want you to take your pen and underline that.”
Then she drew the students’ attention to a flier for the yard sale that was soon to be held by the International Bible Study group. The same group, she pointed out, was also sponsoring a free tour of Raleigh. Among the other fliers in the packet the newcomers had received at the door were one for an “International Student Welcome Dinner” held by the Baptist Student Union International Ministry and one for a $50 bus trip to Washington, D.C., hosted by Providence College Ministry.
Mr. Bustle, director of the Office of International Services, says that he appreciates the help from religious groups —- so long as they sign an agreement not to proselytize —- because “as a state institution, it’s not always politically correct to be spending N.C. State dollars on international students.” (link)
Is it just me, or is this not really an acceptable explanation for why the university is providing no support whatsoever for new international graduate students? These students contribute a lot to the research reputations of the universities where they study, so it’s not just a matter of “spending N.C. State dollars on international students,” as if NC State doesn’t benefit. It’s also ironic that the organizations that step in to fill the gap are Christian groups. Yeah, they’re not proselytizing, but I’m pretty sure that religious groups providing vital services to students isn’t in NC State’s mandate either.
Vikas, I agree with you. While I usually do not like the idea of having these religious orgs around, that is a relatively minor issue.
Most Univs around the US take good care of international students and have a good support system going in general. Given that a typical Indian student may be coming to the US for the first time, it is going to be a culture shock regardless of the number of TV shows they’ve watched before. In particular, many Indian and Chinese students like me don’t usually come from backgrounds where they’d normally be able to afford an American education or lifestyle. Usually, they don’t have any family living in the country already (I still hate that, esp around TG and Xmas). So any amount of support is welcome and meaningful.
I swear by our International office here, they’ve gone out of their way to help me out on several occasions.
Hi all,
IMO I think volunteer support for Intl Students goes a long way. Although we have a LOT less Indian students, here in South Australia than America, the needs/wants of these students aren’t different by any stretch of the imagination. technophobic geek raises a lot of good points in his comments, and I would tend to agree with most of them (apart from this Land Grant stuff, I have no idea on that). In Adelaide, due to the small concentration of desis, both the new students and the Indian community at large, have been enriched by experiences. Moreover, volunteer organisations such as the Bharatiya Club provide a “link” for the new indian students to meet with “old hands”. However, one disappointing thing about Aust Unis is that the lack of scholarships offered to Intl Students (indian or otherwise). This should change soon
WRT religious issues, haven’t heard of any untoward incidents here in Adelaide atleast.
Cheers,
Prasanna
I’m an alum of NC State. I did my Masters there. I was also the VP of Maitri a few years ago. Right now I study at the Indian School of Business at Hyderabad.
It is very very easy for us to critisize the existing system at NC State. IMHO, I think that they are doing the best with what they have. Like Kamala said, I have heard about the christian organizations trying to convert the international students by offering help, etc. I do know someone who did face this problem. However, having said that, I would like to compare my experience as an International Student in the US (and at NCSU) as compared to an international student’s experience here in India. Here, at ISB, we do have a couple of international students. The ISB administration is doing the best to being hospitable. But, I really don’t think our own hospitality (as Indians in general) compares anywhere close to what American’s provide us when we go to the US. It may probably be due to inexperience.. but all I’m trying to say is, before we point fingers, let us look at where WE stand on the same issue.
Proselytizing..would be holding a bible study on campus during the International welcome dinner…that does not happen. NCSU allows all international student groups to assist with the welcome dinner and promote and advertise what they do so students know about them. No body is forced to eat hamburgers and go to confession but if you, under free choice, were to go to a church …like dah ..they will try to convince you to become a Christian. To not allow religious groups to participate in the welcome dinner would be intolerance ..something I understand all too well as a friend of the late Graham Staines.