A Case Study Exploring International Student Engagement at Three Small, Private Colleges

Abstract

Higher education institutions continue to face increased scrutiny to better monitor student persistence rates and develop better strategies to retain more students through the attainment of a degree. Retention studies on international students are limited and often focused on large public universities. The researcher interviewed students and the international student officers at three small, private four-year colleges in the Southeast United States. The international students were found to be formally and informally engaged in academic and social activities on campus, and engagement was promoted by formal campus sponsored activities, international staff members’ personal involvement, and through faculty and staff interaction. The students became aware of campus resources through college programming, faculty and staff interaction, and peer interaction with other students.