Reflection paper

Major paper 3

International Student’s Representation and Education Quality at the University of Denver

Introduction:

International students experience myriad challenges prior to, and after educational stints in foreign nations. Some challenges therein relate to language barriers, visa application, cultural differences, homesickness, and integration into a new learning environment (Khanal & Gaulee, 2019). The challenges possess the potential to affect learners’ academic performance. Recently, various universities that admit the students have employed measures to address the plight of the learners. Some activities therein involve pre-arrival programs, orientation, and assignment of mentors to guide the learners through turbulent times at the institution. The University of Denver is one such institution that has a comprehensive program that targets international students to have the latter experience an easy time at the institution for convenience. Despite the programs that target international students, concerns arise over the failure of the university to address some challenges that the students face.

Literature Review:

To begin with, Ammigan, R. (2019). Institutional satisfaction and recommendation: What really matters to international students. Journal of International Students, 9(1), 262-281. Retrieved from https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/article/view/260/546. The author begins by observing that the

educational sector has become increasingly competitive, hence, the need for educational

institutions to be attentive to international students’ views, preferences, and experiences in the

course of learning. therefore, some educational institutions are cognizant of the fact that above

and have developed measures to meet international students’ expectations. The enrolment of a

high number of the category of students implies numerous benefits to institutions, some of which

are increased finances and intercultural competencies.

Secondly, Bista, K. (Ed.). (2018). Global perspectives on international student experiences in higher education: tensions and issues. Routledge. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333056372_Challenges_of_International_Students_from_Pre-_Departure_to_Post-Study_A_Literature_Review. The author posits that the perspectives that have been adopted regarding international students’ challenges and needs have largely been deficient and insufficient. In the context, the researcher claims that many investigations explore issues that are not real threats to the students’ academic success. The view of the author that an exploration of the learners’ background may prove essential for the determination of factors that may hamper academic success.

Additionally, Choudaha, R. (2016). Campus readiness for supporting international student success. Journal of International Students, 6(4), I-V. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311858529_Campus_Readiness_for_Supporting_International_Student_Success. The author provides that of all the nations that offer education

opportunities to international students, America’s higher education is the most preferred. One of

the reasons for the situation is perceived high-quality education in the United States and

subsequent high success rates in life. The author believes that educational institutions should stop

treating students as cash cows, and should propose a comprehensive model to recruit students

and integrate with the learners and communities in them.

Finally, Khanal, J., & Gaulee, U. (2019). Challenges of International Students from Predeparture to Post Study: A Literature Review. Journal of International Students, 9(2), 560-581. Retrieved

from :https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328097562_Global_Perspectives_on_International_Student_Experiences_in_Higher_Education_Tensions_and_Issues. The material

observes the fact that learning abroad is an exciting opportunity for international students.

Despite the benefit, the author argues that the experience involves challenges, which

are categorized into pre-departure, post-departure, and post-study. The researcher concludes by

claiming that the findings of the article prove to government personnel and administrators that

seek to admit international students.

Research plans:

As highlighted earlier, the University of Denver has a comprehensive program that is aimed at ensuring that international students that gain admission into the institution have commendable experiences. In like manner, the programs seek to ensure that learners attain their respective educational goals for convenience. The challenge, however, is that disagreement exists on whether or not the institution offers learners quality education (Bruno & Dell’Aversana, 2018). Moreover, complains arise over international students’ underrepresentation in the student union. Research endeavors will, therefore, involve examining the two aspects to determine the truth value. In the case of discontentment, the information will guide the institution’s course of action to address the issues of concern. Moreover, the findings will prove essential for other learning institutions that admit international students. On this regard, immediate research will involve an investigation of international students’ representation in student bodies and probable reasons for underrepresentation. Moreover, the study will investigate the probable outcomes of international students’ underrepresentation in the student union. Similarly, the investigation will seek ways of enhancing international students’ representation in the union for convenience. Data collection will involve a survey that will target to reach at least 10% of international students for appropriate responses (Kristjansson et al. 2013). Some questions that will be included in the survey are:

1. How well are international students represented in the University of Denver’s students’ union?

2. In the case of representation, what are the probable causes for the situation?

3. In case international students are underrepresented, have you ever raised concern with the relevant stakeholders?

4. In case you have ever raised a concern, what was the response?

5. What are some negative outcomes of international students’ underrepresentation in students’ unions?

6. What do you think can be done to address underrepresentation if at all it exists?

7. In case of underrepresentation is not existent, what adjustments do you think should be made to enhance its services to international students and all learners in general?

The survey will be successfully undertaken in two to three weeks and will involve approaching the respondents directly for response requests.

Long-term proposal:

The long-term research project will examine the quality of programs offered by the institutions and international students’ contentedness therein. The study will also take the form of a survey, which will involve approaching the target population in person for appropriate responses. Some questions to include in the survey include:

1. What constitutes quality education in your view?

2. Does the University of Denver offer quality education to international students?

3. If your answer above is no, what are the aspects that lower educational quality therein?

4. What suggestions would you make regarding the improvement of education quality at the University of Denver?

5. Are the problems of quality so severe to warrant transfer to other institutions?

The study will also involve the evaluation of international students’ academic performance and school completion rate. The information obtained may be used to modify the academic programs for enhanced effectiveness.

Conclusion:

The proposed research will prove essential for learning institutions to address international students’ representation in students’ bodies. The development would ensure that the learners’ welfare is well taken care of as they would have persons to whom they may raise issues of concern. The long-term study will present the benefit of enhanced quality of educational programs offered by the learning institutions. Consequently, learners that undertake the programs will enjoy the benefit of higher likelihood to attain job opportunities after completion of education. In brief, the benefits of the surveys will be long term. In addition to the fact that the findings will offer solutions to the major problems that international students face at the University of Denver and other colleges too.

References

Bruno, A., & Dell’Aversana, G. (2018). Reflective practicum in higher education: the influence of the learning environment on the quality of learning. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 43(3), 345-358.

Khanal, J., & Gaulee, U. (2019). Challenges of International Students from Predeparture to Post-Study: A Literature Review. Journal of International Students, 9(2), 560-581.

Kristjansson, A. L., Sigfusson, J., Sigfusdottir, I. D., & Allegrante, J. P. (2013). Data collection procedures for school‐based surveys among adolescents: The Youth in Europe Study. Journal of school health, 83(9), 662-667.