UO’s Irungu contributes to understanding of issues for international students

A team of academics and practitioners from different universities, including UO’s Jane Irungu have published the book entitled International Students and Scholars in the United States: Coming from Abroad. The publication addresses issues regarding migration patterns, adaptation challenges and the role that international students and scholars play in the internationalization and diversity agenda within the US higher education system.

Irungu, who is the director of Graduation and Post-graduation Success at UO’s Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence, wrote chapter 9 of the book, titled African students in the US: A window of Opportunities and Challenges. She wrote the chapter based on her own research and experiences as an international graduate student from Africa.

“The enrollment of international students in the UO as well as across the United States is soaring,” notes Irungu. “We have to improve the support systems for these students so that they not only feel welcome, but also supported by the institutional infrastructure of student services.”

As of fall 2012, the UO has registered a total of 2,524 international students—the highest number on record for this student population. If current trends continue, the UO will likely reach 3,000 international students in the next few years.

“The international student population offers great benefits to our campus in so many ways,” says Irungu. “And we should tap the benefits by creating opportunities for the students to present their cultures, learn from the host society as well as be part of the broader conversation in internationalizing our curriculum and campuses.”

International Students and Scholars in the United States: Coming from Abroad, covers topics on migration patterns, adaptation challenges, and the role that international students and faculty play in broader internationalization and diversity agendas within US higher education. To order a copy of the book, visit Palgrave MacMillan.

 

By Chakris Kussalanant
Director of Marketing and Communications
Office of International Affairs