Pasig Catholic College
School of Graduate Studies
Name: Necadaina C. Unay
Course: Master of Arts in Educational Management
Date: February 13, 2023
Score:
Case Study: Empty Playground
A. Introduction
Transitions always present challenges that can be both exciting and
difficult. This is especially true for international students. The Teenager’s
Survival Guide to Moving says: “Moving means more than just changing your
address. It means changing many major aspects of your life—your school, your
teachers, your activities, your friends. And change is always difficult, even if the
change is for the better.”
WorldEd, a for-profit corporation that recruits students to attend
partnership universities throughout the world, provides pathways to higher
education for a less-select group of international students who, despite their
respectable academic performance in high school, find gaining acceptance into a
foreign university very challenging. International students who want to come to
the United States to study often pick California as their state of choice, due to its
diverse population. However, California universities are highly selective of the
students they admit therefore WorldEd has decided to expand its market into the
Midwest. After extensive research and negotiations, WorldEd has established a
partnership with the University of the Heartland, a public university located in a
very conservative region. When the first cohort of 150 international students
arrived at the University of the Heartland for the fall semester, WorldEd’s
assimilation plan initially worked well. However, as the semester progresses,
issues started to surface within the university and community as well as among
international students. Professors were becoming frustrated with several groups
of international students. Community members were also becoming upset with
the international students, especially the landlords who rent apartments to the
students. Although some see the initial year of the WorldEd program at the
University of the Heartland to be a limited success, the program director felt
changes need to be made to help with the assimilation issues.
B. Objectives
 To offer an excellent academic program that prepares students for
employment success as well as providing a warm and welcoming
environment for the international students.
 To educate the international students, faculty and community about
cultural differences
C. Proposed Study/Presentation of case answer
When compared to host country students, international students are more likely
to experience anxiety, homesickness, and stress in adjusting to college due to separation
from close family and friends, lack of comfort and familiarity with different cultural
practices, social isolation, and challenges with host country language proficiency. It is
important that the partner university stakeholders are more understanding of the
international students’ dilemma. The book Cultural diversity and education pointed out
the importance of education in the acculturation of international students, indicating that
students can experience fascination at first that is later followed by stress, anxiety, and
cultural shock. Therefore, it is also important for the education facility to create
procedures that would allow students feel welcomed and help them avoid any prejudices,
cope with stress, and feel equal. WorldEd as the recruiter of international students to the
University of the Heartland must advocate for Safe Spaces for international students.
International students need places on the campus to freely discuss their concerns and
experiences, and to seek support from others in similar situations. Cultural norms like
holiday celebrations, tipping in restaurants, and making eye contact during conversation
may differ from some other countries. International students may find that some cultural
differences challenge their way of life or affect their campus experience. Therefore, aside
from informing and preparing about academic and financial expectations during the
recruiting process, it is important that WorldEd remind their international students the
importance of understanding cultural differences and for them have an open mind in
assimilating into the university and the local culture. On the other hand, the University
of the Heartland can provide information and resources for international students
pursuing higher education in their school. They can facilitate cultural classes that outline
some of the challenges international students face, offer resources, identify organizations
that support international students, and share international student experiences.
D. Recommendation/s
For practice. Implications of this study for international program providers include
the following:
1. It is important that WordEd provide or schedule regular meetings to educate the
international students, professors as well the local community about cultural
differences.
2. International students will possibly experience challenges in a number of areas,
including language barriers, academics, social and cultural differences,
discrimination, financial stressors, and mental health concerns. The international
program provider must have resources or facilities that can help international
students like writing and learning centers, mental health programs, servicelearning, International Student Resource Center, and career services.
3. WorldEd may also arrange for host families. The university can have host
families sorted by countries of origin, or alumni from those countries can be
identified and serve as informal mentors.
For further research. Questions and research areas raised by this study that are
recommended for further study include the following:
1. How can community and faculty enhance be educated about cultural
differences?
2. How can for-profit corporations like WorldEd facilitate international students to
better assimilate into the university and local culture?
3. What existing assimilation plans worked for international students?
References:
Vanesha McGee, M.Ed. (2022, November 22) College Guide for International Students
https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/international-student-guide/#challenges-and-barriers
Mireya Nadal-Vicens et al, International College Students: Challenges and Solutions
https://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/young-adults/international-college-students/
https://ivypanda.com/essays/cultural-assimilation-of-international-students/