International Scholars Best Practices

Best Practices for Inclusive Programming

• Emphasize the strengths that international scholars can bring to organizations (e.g., cultural fluency in multiple countries, openness to change, resilience, multi-lingual, etc.).

• Work with your international center to provide programs specifically tailored to help international scholars with their job search.

• Make explicit the culture of networking in the United States and create opportunities for international scholars to practice networking in low stakes settings to help with culture and/or language barriers to networking conversations.

• Acknowledge that international scholars face unique challenges. Examples may include:

  • 1. Limited funding opportunities for non-US citizens (federal funding or certain fellowships)

    2. Visa limitations on how, when, where internships can be done

    3. Cultural and/or linguistic barriers to access mental health support services

    4. Language barriers (for writing papers, preparing application or interview materials)

• Include role models of successful international scholars in career panels, alumni networking events, etc.

• Clearly address any additional steps or restrictions on professional opportunities (e.g., applying to CPT for internships, clarity about grants/fellowships that are not open to non-US citizens, etc.) for international scholars in all programs.

• In light of the restricted access to prestigious US government grants and/or fellowships (e.g., NIH grants, FLAS Fellowships, NSF grants, etc.), be aware of the range of ways that international students can still position themselves to be successful in their field (e.g., publications, awards, fellowships without citizenship restrictions, etc.).

• Publicize resources related to well-being and mental health support for all students in order to normalize stress and mental health concerns during graduate school and investigate which providers have experience with international clients.

• Avoid using American idioms and cultural references (movies, sports, pop culture) to explain concepts. At the same time, give students the tools to navigate asking for clarification when idioms or cultural references come up during interviews or in other professional settings.

• Ask international scholars how to pronounce their names if they come from a different linguistic background than your own and address them by name.

Online Resources

• American College Personnel Association webinar: Helping International Students Launch Their Careers. http://www.myacpa.org/events/helping-international-students-launch-their-careers

• American College Personnel Association webinar: International Students and Mental Health. http://www.myacpa.org/events/webinar-series-international-students-mental-health

• H1B Visa Reports, including employers who sponsor H1B Visas: https://www.myvisajobs.com/Reports/2018-H1B-Visa-Sponsor.aspx

• National Postdoc Association “International Postdoc Survival Guide”

(Available:https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nationalpostdoc.org/resource/resmgr/2019_launch/resources/intsurvguide/international_postdoc_surviv.pdf)

• US Department of Labor website: https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/howdoi.cfm

Suggested Readings

• Delaney, B. & Krishnamurthy, S. (June 2019). “H-1B Visa Program Changes in the United States: What to Expect Now and in the Future?” The POSTDOCket, 17(6). (Available: https://www.nationalpostdoc.org/page/POSTDOCket_1706)

• Kisch, M. (2015). “Helping International Students Navigate Career Options.” International Educator. (Available: https://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/ie_mayjun15_fsa.pdf)

• Lundsteen, N. (2017). “International Perspective” in T.M. Evans, N. Lundsteen and N.L. Vanderford (Eds.). ReSearch: A Career Guide for Scientists (Chapter 17). Atlanta, GA: Academic Press.

• McDowell, G. and Bankston, A. (January 2018). “Resources to address challenges for international students and postdocs.” American Society for Cell Biology Careers (Available: https://www.ascb.org/careers/resources-address-challenges-international-students-postdocs/)

• Okahana, H., & Zhou, E. (2019). International graduate applications and enrollment: Fall 2018. Washington, DC: Council of Graduate Schools. (Available: https://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Intl_Survey_Report_Fall2018.pdf)

• Prieto-Welch, S. (2016). International Student Mental Health. New Directions for Student Services, 156, 53-63.

• Semotiuk, A.J. (2019). “Recent Changes To The H1B Visa Program And What Is Coming In 2019.” Forbes. (Available: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyjsemotiuk/2019/01/02/recent-changes-to-the-h1b-visa-program-and-what-is-coming-in-2019/#1ceb0ae54a81)

• Seo, G. (2018). “Job Tips for International Students.” Inside Higher Ed. (Available: https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2018/05/07/job-advice-international-grad-students-united-states-opinion)

• Subramanian, S. (2020). “Advice for international grad students and postdocs about the academic challenges they face.” Inside Higher Ed. (Available: https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2020/10/26/advice-international-grad-students-and-postdocs-about-academic-challenges-they)

• West, C. (2018). “Getting to Work: How Career Services Offices Are Helping International Students Launch Their Professional Careers.” International Educator. (Available: https://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/ie_marapr18_work.pdf)

• Williams, G., Case, R. & Roberts, C. (2018). Understanding the Mental Health Issues of International Students on Campus. Educational Research: Theory and Practice, 29(2), 18-28.

Created by Drs. Laura Schram and Shoba Subramanian | University of Michigan