Department: Foreign Student and Scholar Services (FSSS)
Program: Services and Programs to UM Foreign Students and Scholars
FSSS is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for its student and scholar constituency from abroad. To that end, we periodically conduct a survey to assess the level of satisfaction and quality of life experienced by the foreign students who matriculate at the
University of Montana. Results from the 2013 International Student Survey indicate that there is a high level of satisfaction with services provided, but much could be gained by improving the quality of interactions between American and foreign students. In addition, students continue to be dissatisfied with the lack of adequate financial aid and on-campus non-work study job opportunities.
FSSS strives to achieve a high level of satisfaction with the services we provide to foreign students and scholars. Of paramount importance is helping them maintain their legal status so as to avoid reinstatement petitions and deportations. Moreover, we support and collaborate with other units on campus to ensure academic success of students, high retention and graduation rates, and student engagement on campus and in the community.
The office sponsors or co-sponsors campus and community activities that promote positive cross-cultural experiences that enhance student success and create a dynamic learning environment. Such programs include the Global Partners Program, Speaker’s Bureau, Missoula
International Friendship Program, International Culture and Food Festival, educational fieldtrips, and management of the International House and its activities.
In April, 2013, our office conducted an online survey study to find out how well the needs of foreign students are being met and to improve the services and programs we offer to them.
SelectSurvey.Net
was utilized to administer the survey and analyze the data. The survey
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instrument can be accessed at: https://itoselect.ito.umt.edu/ModifySurvey.aspx?Mode=Edit&SurveyID=86LI6m85
Of the 452 students with correct email addresses who received the questionnaire, 113 completed the survey for a response rate of 25%. To secure a high response yield, we offered prizes in the form of $100, $50 and $25. For the draw, respondents were asked to complete the survey within a two-week period and provide at the end of the questionnaire the last four digits of their student
ID, in a process that protected their identity.
The questionnaire was designed to gather background information, such as region of origin, gender, age, visa type, academic level, and housing type. The survey also addressed major facets of their university experiences, from initial adjustment to needs both in the academic and nonacademic arenas. The study examined social areas of students’ lives, including their interactions with Americans, and asked them to evaluate the staff and services provided by FSSS. In the last section, respondents were encouraged to provide answers to open-ended questions, asking them to describe the main problems they have encountered at UM, as well as the main attractions they would share with their friends at home.
The survey instrument provided a list of thirty-one services and experiences and respondents were asked to rank each item as “very dissatisfied,” “dissatisfied,” “satisfied,” and “very satisfied.” For the analysis, those who chose either “very dissatisfied” or “dissatisfied” are described as “dissatisfied” with the item, while those who selected “satisfied” or “very satisfied” are described as “satisfied.” Respondents also had the option to list and rate any experiences or services not on the list.
In terms of the region of origin, the proportion of students surveyed was roughly similar to the foreign student population at UM, except for the Middle East: 38% hail from Asia, 30% from
Europe, 13% from Africa, 13% from Central and South America, and 2% from North America and Middle East, respectively. Of the respondents:
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56% are in the US on an F-1 student visa and 40% on a J-1 exchange visitors visa

59% are female versus 41% male
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63% are undergraduates, 32% are graduates, and 5% non-degree

35% are between 18 and 21 years of age, 29% are between 22 and 24, and 34% are over
25.

Majority live in some type of university housing with 38% in residence halls, 19% in
University Villages, and 19% in Lewis and Clark Village. 25% live off-campus.
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59% began their studies at UM during the 2012-2013 academic year, while 41% have been students for longer than one year.
Among those who came to UM during the 2012-2013 academic year and received arrival services, participated in orientation programs and signed up for Global Partners and Community
Friendship programs, almost 80% expressed satisfaction with such services and programs.
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Services that meet the basic needs of students such as campus dining and health services were ranked as satisfactory by 75% and 72%, respectively. Several aspects of academic life were ranked high, such as faculty/student relations (91%), academic advising (83%), availability of library resources (94%), and relevance of courses vis-à-vis their needs and interests (84%). In contrast, only 67% were satisfied with opportunities to improve their English language skills at
UM.
Since sources of financial aid and job opportunities are limited to foreign students in comparison to domestic students, only 37% are satisfied with the availability of financial aid, 54% with campus employment opportunities (their legal status allows them to work on campus only in non-work study positions), and 56% with career counseling.
Foreign students seek opportunities to interact socially with campus and community members.
89% are satisfied with relationships with other foreign students, 85% with opportunities for involvement in campus/community life, 84% with activities in the International House, and 76% with opportunities to let Americans know about their country and perspective on different issues.
In contrast, only 51% were satisfied with relationships with their American peers and 50% with their American roommates.
Respondents had the opportunity to indicate whether they strongly disagree, disagree, agree or strongly agree with statements pertaining to our office. Those who marked “strongly disagree” or “disagree” were counted for analysis as “disagree” with the statement, and those who chose
“agree” and “strongly agree” as “agree.” The respondents consistently gave favorable responses to the statements ranging from 94% to 97%, with 96% agreeing with the statement: “Overall, I am pleased with the service I receive at FSSS.” The only item ranked below 90% had to do with the main way FSSS uses to communicate with the students, which is a weekly electronic newsletter.
The last part of the evaluation solicited respondents’ opinions about the main problems encountered at UM and its main attractions. Many expressed difficulty in making friends and interacting with American students. Another area of frustration was the lack of interest in foreign students and their backgrounds in and out of the classroom. The most popular attractions listed are the beautiful and natural surroundings of the campus, friendliness of people, recreational opportunities, and campus services and facilities.
Much could be gained by introducing or expanding structured and meaningful interactions between foreign and American students. Faculty could also encourage students to attend international events and programs on campus and in the community by offering extra incentives or assignments. On a positive note, UM’s Global Leadership Initiative and the creation of an
Intercultural Living/Learning Community in one of the Residence Halls should help increase intercultural competence and awareness on campus.
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Financial aid and on-campus job opportunities elicited the lowest ratings. One way to address these issues would be to increase the number and amount of scholarships available to international students, as well as the campus non-work study job offerings.
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