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Lanie Kirkland, M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs
EDUC 815
Ed.D. Student
Drexel University

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This literature review explores the effects of student affairs and resources offered on international students from areas that are underrepresented at American colleges and universities. The University of South Carolina’s Global Carolina program will be used as a comparison school to better understand the findings. Many studies tend to view the international student population as a homogenous group that experiences the same issues and concerns. However, the unique needs of each individual international student must be considered when determining the usefulness of support services. There are many factors that can impact a student’s ability to adjust and thrive in a new culture. Students who are able to form a sense of belonging and membership to their school are more likely to persist to graduation (Verhulst, 2020), while students who have trouble making connections and/or utilizing support services are more likely to transfer schools or drop out altogether (Spencer, 2016).

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Many studies focus on international students as a homogenous group, rather than study their unique perspectives.
International students from underrepresented areas are often left out of studies measuring impact of student support services.
There are far fewer student development theories for international students than there are for American students.

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The total number of international students enrolled at a higher education institution (HEI) in the United States for the 2019/2020 school year was 1,075,496 (IIE Open Doors / Enrollment Trends, 2020). These students contributed 38.7 billion dollars to the U.S. economy and supported 415,996 jobs in the 2019/2020 school year (NAFSA International Student Economic Value Tool, 2021).

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Many studies tend to view the international student population as a homogenous group that experiences the same issues and concerns. However, the unique needs of each individual international student must be considered when determining the usefulness of support services.

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Popplet is the easiest way to visualize ideas.

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"Staying in status": Also known as immigration compliance. Maintaining international student visa status includes following the regulations set out by the government and fulfilling the purpose for why the Department of State issued the visa (Maintaining Status: Study in the States 2021),

Student visa types:

F-1 Student Visa: for study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at an English language institute

J-1 Exchange Visa: for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study

M-1 Student Visa: for non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States

(International Student Visas 2017).

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Homeland Security. Maintaining Status: Study in the States. Maintaining Status | Study in the States. https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintaining-status.

Sponsored Student Program. University of Alberta. (2021). https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/sponsored-student-program/index.html.

U.S. Department of State. (2017, December 7). International Student Visas. U.S. Department of State. https://educationusa.state.gov/foreign-institutions-and-governments/understanding-us-higher-education/international-student.

What is Student Affairs?: BestCollegeReviews. Best College Reviews. (2020, November 12). https://www.bestcollegereviews.org/faq/what-is-student-affairs/#:~:text=The%20field%20known%20as%20student,student%20success%20or%20student%20personnel.

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1) To what extent does the way a student receives financial support (i.e. home country’s government sponsorship, family support, or working a part-time job) affect the overall experience of the student?

2) To what extent does the level of personalized support services (i.e. math tutoring offered in a different language, having a bilingual advisor, or important information printed in another language) affect a students sense of belonging on campus?

3) To what degree is the overall satisfaction of a student connected to their country of origin?

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International students: Students who are citizens of different countries studying in the United States on an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa.

Domestic students: American citizens attending institutes of higher education within the United States.

Sponsored students:
Sponsored students are international students whose studies are fully or partially funded by their governments, companies, or third party entities (Sponsored Student Program 2021).

Student affairs: The field known as student affairs in higher education is made up of professionals dedicated to supporting the academic and personal development of individuals attending college or university (What is Student Affairs?: BestCollegeReviews 2020).

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The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of student affairs and resources offered on international students from areas that are underrepresented at the University of South Carolina.