How Stateside NAFSAns and OSEAS Advisers Can Work Together:
The ‘Three Cs’ Formula: Communicate, Cooperate, and Collaborate!OSEAS advisers can
Be a primary source of information on the educational systems, ministries, and institutions of our home countries. Network with local ministries, universities, and professional accreditation commissions in our areas. Keep U.S.-based colleagues posted on study trends in our areas and programs students are looking for in the United States. Serve as resources in our individual areas of specialization through the regional and national NAFSA conferences, and regional conferences outside the United States. Be an international student’s only or primary exposure to the U.S. system of higher education. Overseas educational advising centers can serve as the gateway to international educational exchange. Assist visiting U.S. "study abroad" students/scholars (and U.S. program officers who are sending them) with questions on everything from the local academic and cultural scene to mores, safety and "survival 101" issues.
Stateside colleagues canDevelop direct communication linkages with overseas advising centers. Use our e-mail, fax, or APO addresses whenever possible. Snail mail may never reach us. The Department of State is a good source of contact information, as is the Department of State Website: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/educationusa/. Keep us informed of admissions’ trends for international students. Let us know if you plan to visit our country. Visit our offices and meet us in person. Be sure to bring catalogs, application forms, and a video if you have one. Let us know if you hold college fairs locally, and incorporate our office into your program. Inform us of any exchanges or special agreements you may have with our local colleges and universities. Send us more catalogs and videos, and fewer loose flyers. Make your Web sites user-friendly for international students. Send us well in advance good pre-departure information on housing, transportation in your area, etc. Many students, especially those traveling with families, use this kind of information in the initial application screening process. Inform us of any distance education options your school may offer international students. Make more use of AMIDEAST’s Advising Quarterly as a venue for announcing new programs or scholarships you may have. Help us encourage the international transfer student to continue applying to U.S. schools by rethinking admissions policies. Try to give these students a clearer picture of their entry level at the time of acceptance and issuance of the I-20, and before they leave their home countries. Provide us with more information on short-term and non-degree programs that are available to international students. Help the U.S. Department of State’s Educational Information and Resources Branch (ECA/A/S/A) update reference material needed in these increasingly popular levels of study. Let us know of ANY scholarships you offer for qualified international undergraduate and graduate students (general merit, need-based, departmental, arts-oriented, sports, etc.). Schools informing overseas advising centers of any financial assistance available to qualified students have a greater chance of attracting and enrolling suitable international applicants. Develop methods of creative funding – community service, dorm supervisors, foreign language proctors – these are just some suggestions to work on together! Attend and participate in OSEAS workshops, conferences, and other activities held outside the United States, and in OSEAS presentations at NAFSA regional and national conferences. Your presence and input is most important to us. Give NAFSA and the U.S. Department of State your support. Help sponsor workshops and professional development opportunities for OSEAS advisers. Welcome OSEAS talent into the national leadership and at regional and national presentations at NAFSA conferences. Advocate within your state and region to support the only objective, professionally trained overseas advising network located outside the United States. Remember: our U.S. Department of State-affiliated network of almost 450 centers across the globe is the information gateway for most of the almost 550,000 international students who reach your campuses.
If we are forced to close down or cut back services due to lack of financial support, who will respond to over two million queries a year? Will it be the British Council, or the Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand embassies’ overseas educational services?
Originally prepared in 1997 by Evelyn Levinson as Director of EIC at USIEF, Tel Aviv, Israel. She is now Associate Director of International Admissions, Marketing and Recruiting Initiatives, University of South Florida, and is the past OSEAS Overseas Coordinator. Updated March 2003.
