International Students at NAU, why?
While over 1,000 international students reside on NAU’s campus, most don’t know the actual reason why they come here.
International students roam Northern Arizona Universities campus on a daily basis. We may even know or have some students from a foreign land in one of our classes. But even though some may not speak the same language as us, they strive for the same goal, to get a higher education.
But why NAU and how do we get the students? Recruiting?
While many would think traveling to a different country to recruit international students is necessary, Mandy Hansen, the Director for International Admissions and Recruitment helped to explain that this isn’t always the case.
“We do a lot of work right here in the United States,” said Hansen. “There are community colleges right here in Arizona and throughout the west that have international students that are wishing to finish their associates degree and then pursue a bachelors degree.”
Hansen went on to explain the department also works closely with ESL (English as a Second Language) programs across the state, boarding schools and with sponsoring agencies in which certain governments (Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission & Kuwaiti Cultural Mission) pay for student’s tuition to come to America and study.
“A few years ago we had hardly had any students from Brazil,” described Hansen. “In the fall census we had 168 students from Brazil and that’s all through partnerships.”
Safety is also a big concern for international parents of students, especially those coming from China, where the one child policy ( since 1980, couples may only have one child due to population control) is still in effect. Daniel Palm, director of Asian Academic Engagement helped to explain this concern regarding parents.
“Students and parents will call in and ask, how’s the security on campus?” said Palm. “They see American movies and everyone’s blowing everything up and shooting everyone so they’re scared. We let the students know we are there for them not only when they are applying, but once they are admitted [as well]…”
Palm also helped to bring out that there are various social media platforms as well as videos published on China’s version of YouTube to keep the parents updated with the University, to let them know the happenings in the Flagstaff community.
“Parents and grandparents put all their energy into one kid,” stated Palm. “It’s about trust. It’s about a university establishing a connection where there is a line of trust and a line of accountability that they know we’re going to follow through, so they trust us with their students.”
Every year there is between 100–110 new students from China, and most of those are full degree students which means they aren’t just coming for a semester, but for a full 3–4 years. Palm brought out that in the fall of next semester there will be well over 300 international students from China on campus.
Brennan Waters, a student who previously lived in Japan explained why he decided to make the move to Flagstaff, Arizona.
“Living in America is nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced before,” said Waters. “The freedom that you get at an American university is totally different from that of an international university where the rules may be more strict.”
Nancy Currey, an International Recruiter and Admissions Counselor for NAU, believes that international students, who attend here, are getting an unmatched education.
“[They are getting] lots of personal attention, a safe and friendly environment and terrific academics,” said Currey with a smile. “But overall a terrific university experience…sometimes students will go to large urban centers and they get lost. So we have students that transfer here from ASU because there is no strong sense of community…”
International students come to NAU for the community experience and small class sizes that most other large universities can’t offer.
The Center for International Education is located in the Blome Building on north campus for those wanting to learn more information about international students and their studies.
