Last Friday nearly 200 faculty members from the College of Professional Studies(CPS) came together for Faculty Development Day, a biannual opportunity for full-time, half-time and adjunct faculty to discuss important topics in higher education.
The theme of last week’s event was the International Classroom, and featured a compelling panel of seven students—five from countries around the world and two from the United States—talking about the unique challenges and opportunities of a college without walls.
“These students come from literally every corner of the world, but they have chosen to be with us here today because of how our education has been able to transform lives, not only in our country, but in other areas of the world,” said CPS Dean John LaBrie in his opening remarks. “We need to be humble enough to hear the international voices…because in hearing their message we will become better and stronger.”
That strength was evident in the student panel, which took questions from faculty that covered a number of topics, including what it’s like to come to the U.S. for an education, the ins and outs of online learning ,the differences between the communications styles of U.S. and international students and even what it’s like when none of your classmates knows where your home country is.
View the following videos to hear from those students in their own words. And if you have an opinion on how higher education in the United States will need to change to accommodate a truly international student population, please visit the CPS Facebook page and share your ideas.