Encouraging an Internationally Inclusive Classroom: Managing Student Expectations and Experiences

The NZIEC conference focused on international students and education in NZ. Predominantly from China and India, some international students shared expectations and experiences that were culture-specific. While each group had unique challenges (e.g., caste-bias could uniquely complicate some experiences), there were also some shared accounts, including some that might be part of the general experience of college students (e.g., increased general stress, issues creating new social relationships, etc.). Some challenges that were discussed included how to better assist with shared issues regardless of domestic or international status, while also recognizing the potential additional pressures on some students. Additionally important was how to help improve the experiences of those struggling with culture-specific concerns. A result of several workshops and discussion was a recognition that as faculty and administrators, we could strive to better manage student expectations to improve their experiences