How do we facilitate academic success of international students? What are best practices in providing supports for international students? These inquiries have been an ongoing, dynamic discussion among scholars, school leaders, colleges and universities, educational agencies, as well as international students themselves.
Featuring Dr. Tchetchet Digbohou, Pitt School of Education alum and Scholarship Manager at POISE Foundation, IISE hosted another International Brown Bag Series on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, with topic of supporting international students.
Attending the Brown Bag Series were IISE international visiting scholars, graduate students, administrators and staff of the University's Office of International Services, Office of Cross-Cultural and Leadership Development, and School of Education's Office of Admission and Enrollment Services.
Examining International Students' Perception
Scholars and practitioners in American universities have developed numerous services and program to attract and support international students from around the world. The relative success of these services and programs is typically evaluated through quantitative surveys. There were only few studies of international students that employ qualitative approach, which could offer a deeper and richer understanding of international students’ experiences.
Tchetchet Digbohou caught the gap above. “In the literature review leading up to my research, I realized that institutions of higher education. Only a handful of qualitative studies have looked into how international student themselves view the academic and nonacademic services set up for them by host institutions.”
Digbohou is an Ed.D graduate of the Administrative and Policy Studies Program, at School of Education, at University of Pittsburgh. His dissertation, entitled “From Expectations to Reality: Examining International Students' Perception of Support Services at the University of Pittsburgh”, explores international students views on the quality of the academic and nonacademic support services they are receiving from the University of Pittsburgh.
“The purpose of this inquiry was to describe and analyze the university experiences of international students (in their own words and from their unique vantage points) and to contrast those experiences with students’ own expectation prior to coming to Pitt.”
Presenting at IISE International Brown Bag Session last February 18, 2020, Digbohou discussed findings of his study. He found mixed results on students’ satisfaction and views regarding the University’s support services. While majority students expressed positive experiences, some students recalled dissatisfied experiences in certain aspects, such as cross-cultural connection, academic advising, career guidance and counseling.
Digbohou recommends authorities in the University to implement a 3-step approach called ESA, i.e. (1) Early interventions, (2) Strengthening existing programs and (3) Attention paid to underrepresented groups of international students. He believed that universities must listen to and incorporate international students’ voices, perspectives and feedback into the institution’s working plans and strategies.
Furthering his dissertation, Digbohou is now working on a handbook for international students specifically compiled for the School of Education, University of Pittsburgh. “I am both very humbled and excited by the opportunity to put to practice some of my research findings. The need for such a manual appeared undeniable. My plan is to work collaboratively with all parties involved throughout the duration of the project in order. One of my goals is to help create a resource that would be relational as well as transactional at the same time. I can’t wait to share my project milestones with IISE in the near future.”
Having an international background himself, Digbohou is thankful for all supports during his study at Pitt School of Education that enabled him to successfully graduate and expand his career. “My experience at SoE made me feel more confident in my ability to share and back up my views with the world. SoE contributed to expending my intellectual curiosity and horizons. I treasure my time at SoE. I made lifelong personal and professional friendships and connections that went far beyond the classroom. I would like to teach and give lectures nationwide, continue doing research and be engaged in issues related to students’ integration and support for long term success.”
Tchetchet Digbohou currently works at the POISE Foundation in Pittsburgh. He can be reached at TGD10@pitt.edu.
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