Maine Perspective Front Page
International Education a Growing Focus at UMaine
The University of Maine has the largest international student community in the state. Providing support for that community, and serving as a resource for UMaine and the state, is the Office of International Programs.
For the past two years, the Office of International Programs has been in a "building mode," concentrating on undergraduate admissions and recruitment, and services for international students and exchange visitors, according to its director, Karen Boucias. Today, while the office carries on those responsibilities and fields daily requests ranging from passport logistics to the latest international student demographics to finding translators for local doctors working with international patients, the focus also is on advocacy for international education at all levels across campus.
"International education needs to be an integral part of undergraduate or graduate degree work at the University," says Boucias. "Faculty need to encourage students to go abroad to study and need to consider international teaching opportunities. International dimensions should be incorporated as much as possible into courses. The world is getting smaller. We must promote global awareness so that students feel comfortable thinking and interacting with peers from other cultures. In the job market of today and of the future, students must have a global approach."
The international experience at UMaine is a two-way street with Study Abroad exchange agreements between the University and 26 other institutions around the globe. In addition, students
can study in institutions in 35 countries through UMaine's membership in the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) and the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP).
"We want more students to study abroad," says Boucias, noting that 25-50 UMaine students study abroad each year, most in Great Britain and Australia. Beth Eustis, who has nine years of experience in international student exchanges, this month joined the International Programs staff as Study Abroad coordinator.
"Through our international exchanges, we're also hoping to see an increase in faculty involvement," says Boucias. "We want to encourage faculty to think of international exchanges for sabbaticals or short-term teaching. Our exchange networks offer built-in opportunities for faculty."
The University of Maine saw a 23 percent increase in applications from undergraduate international students this fall. For the academic year, there are 117 new international students enrolled, up slightly from last year. UMaine is one of the few state institutions that offers tuition waivers for academically talented undergraduates. Last year, 37 undergraduate international students received tuition waivers to pursue four-year degree programs.
Today, half of UMaine's 450 international students are undergraduates, compared to four years ago when almost 80 percent of the international student population on campus were graduate students. While most graduate students are studying in the sciences and in engineering, undergraduates are pursing degrees in a variety of academic areas.
UMaine's international students herald from 73 countries around the world. The MBA Program alone has enrolled 11 international students representing 10 countries.
"We're doing a better job getting the word out to undergraduates around the world &endash; from our brochures accompanying applications to the Website and by word of mouth," says Boucias. "We are working with embassies and agencies like the American Association of Teachers of Russian, the SOROS Foundation, IIE and Fulbright to place international students at UMaine.
"On the other hand, with graduate student stipends not keeping up with the cost of education here, fewer students are looking at UMaine for assistantships at the graduate level. Nationally, the concern is that some students are not getting visas as they used to, and other countries such as Australia are aggressively recruiting, as well."
International students find UMaine's computer resources, including free Internet access, and the safe campus environment particularly appealing, says Boucias. Support services for international students range from helping them settle into residence halls to linking them with faculty and advisors, and offering opportunities beyond the classroom like day-trips to the coast &endash; all in an effort to provide as smooth a transition as possible.
In return, international students make multifaceted contributions to the University community, says Boucias. Their presence and involvement in activities heightens multicultural and international awareness. Culturefest, a day of international celebration on campus organized by the international students, has grown to become a popular fall tradition that this year occurs on Nov. 8. A host family program, the campus-based Get Acquainted Better (GAB) group and Global Links all serve to facilitate greater understanding of different cultures.
"These are undoubtedly the international leaders of tomorrow," says Boucias. "These are students who have made a great sacrifice to come here. They arrive knowing they may not see their families more than once a year, yet they are driven by strong goals and a will to achieve them. Most aspire to use their education to help their countries. They are among the most motivated students on college campuses today."