International Students need orientation leaders

By David Alexander
Western Herald

The Haenicke Institute for Global Education is now taking applications for International Student Orientation and Registration Leaders. The paid position is for those interested in helping to get international students acclimated to Western Michigan University.

WMU played host to 1,114 international students in 2008; because of the many immigration laws international students require that their orientation be separate from non-international students, according to the Western Michigan University Fact Sheet.
International Student Activities Program Specialist Kim Ritter said the Haenicke Institute has 10 to 12 positions to fill, depending on the number of international students matriculating next semester.

According to the ISORP application, students must meet certain criteria in order to be considered for the position. WMU students must be:

• Full-time —12 credit hours for undergraduate and six credit hours for graduate students
• In good academic standing — grade point average of 2.0 for undergrads and 3.0 for graduates.
• Available for training on Aug. 24 to 28 at WMU and fall ISORP Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.
• International applicants must be in good immigration status.

“If [applicants] meet the minimum criteria they will be able to participate in a group interview,” Ritter said. “We really look for team players, people that are willing to assist people and be helpful, and outgoing, enthusiastic.”

Ritter added that applicants with intercultural sensitivity, previous intercultural experience, or who have studied abroad are also an asset. During training, two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester, team leaders attend, along with herself and some office staff, Pretty Lake camp for, what Ritter called, “team building.”

The ISORP program partners with Fall Welcome to help international students integrate into the university. There is a good mix of Americans and international students, said Ritter’s assistant Lygia Mueller, a first-year graduate student majoring in higher education and students affairs.

Ritter said that international student orientation is separate from non-international student orientation because there is a plethora of immigration laws and regulations that international students need to learn to maintain their status.

“International students can only work on campus; it’s one of the regulations,” Mueller said.

“A few qualities I think one should have [to be an ISORP leader] are patience, strong work ethic, and an open mind. Being a leader in itself requires patience and to take on that role and guide others can be demanding at times,” applicant Melanie Chwan said in an e-mail interview.

“I decided to apply for this position mainly because I love to surround myself with different people and cultures,” she added.

The position pays a $500 stipend for two weeks. Students interested should e-mail or drop off an application to the Haenicke Institute office by 5 p.m., Feb. 9.

Ritter said students then could select one of three time slots for an interview. Those applicants being considered will be notified by 5 p.m., Feb. 11.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=3833

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Feb 10 2009. Filed under Campus, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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