Corporate Pictures could be here

Strategies for Building an International Program

A Roadmap for Success

© 2013 Fox Intercultural Consulting

Why are the students coming?

© 2012 Fox Intercultural Consulting ServicesPhoto: Courtesy Hao Wei and Wikimedia Commons

Concerns in China

The Environment

Product safety

Pressure on children

Focus on tests

Advantage in applying to U.S. colleges and universities

Benefits of a U.S. High School Education

• Small class sizes

• Students get individual attention

• Student centered learning

• Student movement: group work

• Access to college resources

Photos: The Mountain School at Winhall

Beyond the Classroom

• Extracurricular activities: sports, music, theater

• Community service

• Bigger focus on volunteer work

• Model UN

• International Exchange & Summer Experiences

Photos: The Derryfield School

Getting Started

A Roadmap For Success

Building the Program

Organizing all the pieces…

Who Are The Stakeholders?

Making sure all stakeholders are engaged

On the U.S. Side:

Stakeholders

Faculty

Staff

Students

Community

School Board

Host Families

Step 1: Go to China!

“A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step” – Laozi

2. Faculty and Staff Training

Understanding China: The importance of cross-cultural workshops

3. The International Students

The importance of the arrival

Cultural Orientation Sessions

For new International Students

Challenges for Chinese Students

• How to ask questions• How to do research• How to write essays• Developing a thesis• Public speaking• Presentation skills• Asking for help• Teamwork• Time management

© 2013 Fox Intercultural Consulting Services. Photo courtesy Maine Central Institute

Challenges for Chinese Students

The “Social Sciences”

• History• English literature• Psychology• Sociology• Health• Critical reading• Art

4. The Larger Student Population

Cross-cultural workshops: opportunities to think about new cultural dimensions

The Role of Student Ambassadors

4. The Larger Student Population

5. Check-in Points

Quarterly informal conversations with international students: “How’s it going?”

6. The Support Staff

The role of the International Student Coordinator

Burning questions

What are your schools vacation policies?

Are international students allowed to take drivers education and get licenses?

How are students best integrated on campus?

Burning questions

What should be included in dorm curriculum?

What sort of screening is used?

Should we have an “English Only” language policy?

7. The Host Families

Host Family Orientation

8. The Community

And why it mattersPhoto: Oxford Academy

9. Parent Connections

Helping Chinese parents feel more connected: checking in on students, translating reports

The Next Step…

Building a sustainable program

The Sister School Model

A truly integrated program: sustainable and in-depth, building enduring connections

Developing global citizens

The Sister School Model

The Sister School Model

Faculty exchange, cooperative programs, and more…

Corporate Pictures could be here

Thank you!

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