International Student Needs: A Snapshot in Time

Using a survey of international students from three different IHEs across the United States and follow-up focus groups, we gathered feedback directly from current international students studying in the United States on the practices and policies they have found most and least helpful in terms of supporting them in their studies and their suggestions for additional ways IHEs might better support their international students. Our findings suggest that international students are generally satisfied with the support provided by their international student offices at their institutes of higher education, although they also identified several areas for improvement. In both the surveys and the focus groups, participants emphasized the need for practical assistance with finding housing in the United States and navigating the complexities of attaining a social security number so they can open bank accounts, buy cell phones, and apply for leases on apartments. They also discussed the need to foster the development of meaningful friendships with other international students as well as students from the United States and for ensuring that the mental/emotional health of students, as well as their academic progress, are looked after. Suggestions for ways IHEs might address these identified needs are discussed.