Sanjana Kumbhani
Features Editor
countries to Wooster (Photo courtesy of Yorgun Marcel).
The first-year class has a significantly larger incoming international student population as compared to previous years. The total number of international students is 69 — far more than the approximately 40 international students who are part of the class of 2017.
Director of International Student and Scholar Services Jill Munro confirmed that there were more international student applicants overall and those applicants met or exceeded the requirements to attend. She also said that this year the number of domestic applicants decreased so they increased the number of international students to reach the class admission goal.
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of International Student Affairs Yorgun Marcel agreed, pointing out that, “[w]hile last year’s class was 35-40 in size, over 50 were accepted, but ultimately some opted not to come to Wooster.”
“We are also looking at a larger number of accepted students opting to actually come to Wooster, not just an increase in number of accepted students,” said Marcel. “Initially, we had 75 internationals accepted in this incoming class; some opted to go elsewhere, others deferred to fall 2015. Case in point, one of this year’s first years was actually admitted to Fall 2013 but deferred to Fall 2014.”
An exciting aspect of this situation is that Wooster now boasts students from five new countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden. As of Fall 2014, the top three countries represented on campus are China (38), India (32) and Vietnam (22). The total number of international students on campus is 157 with 40 countries represented.
The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) confirmed that their objective is to make sure international students know what services exist and how to connect with them. They now have a Global Engagement Seminar that meets for the first seven weeks of the semester and covers an array of American topics and issues and then relates them to the students on a personal level. It also exposes first-year students to the myriad of resources on campus so that they can find the help they need, whether their issues are academic, social or personal. The course is composed of both international and domestic students so that they can share perspectives from around the world and begin to form cross-cultural friendships.
OISA is also working on starting a Chinese student organization so that the Chinese students can celebrate and share their culture and traditions with the rest of the students on campus while supporting each other with mutual struggles they might experience.
Furthermore, OISA is planning to strengthen connections with international alumni so they can feel connected to Wooster as well as be a resource for current students, graduates and prospective students from their area of the world. Finally, OISA will begin to develop a pre-orientation module so that future international students can access information and prepare for cultural changes they will face on campus.
Both Munro and Marcel promised that they will continue to do everything they can to integrate the international community with the domestic one. If necessary, they will even develop new programs to assist international students in their transition from their home countries to Wooster.