Baker honored for support of international students and study abroad programs

Baker University has long understood the importance of a global perspective in a well-rounded liberal arts education, and that focus was recently honored by Open Doors. The organization has recognized the colleges and universities that have supported international education programs for the last 75 years with the Open Doors Seal of Excellence.

Open Doors is a comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars studying or teaching at higher education institutions in the United States and on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit at their home colleges or universities. Baker has participated in the program since 1949.

Bringing the World to Baker

This fall 45 international students are enrolled on the Baldwin City campus, and one is at the School of Nursing. They represent 24 countries.

Making the transition to college is demanding, and international students have the added challenge of moving to another country and fitting into another culture. For this reason, support of international students starts early before they are admitted to the university through a dedicated admissions counselor for international students.

Once on campus, a staff member walks them through the necessary paperwork, and Student Affairs staff assist with things such as applying for a Social Security number, obtaining a U.S. driver’s license, and navigating the health care system. Student Affairs also administers the Hysko Rainy Day Fund, which is funded by a generous donor to provide support for international students for emergency and other costs.

“Our international student population is one of Baker’s strengths. Not only do they bring a global perspective to class discussions and campus life, but they are highly involved in extracurricular activities,” said Dr. Anna McCullough, director of Student Academic Success.

The majority of Baker’s international students are athletes, and they often find Baker through the recruitment process for their sport. Many nonathletes have studied in Kansas during high school through exchange or full diploma programs and want to stay in Kansas for college.

Because the U.S. university system is very different from college and university systems abroad, additional advising is provided.

“For example, international universities usually do not have general education requirements. So, students frequently come expecting that they will be taking all their classes in their major with only a few electives allowed,” McCullough said.

In her role as director of Student Academic Success McCullough explains why Baker requires general education coursework in addition to courses for their major. SAS also provides academic support and helps students understand academic expectations and requirements.

“Even for students who are proficient in English, it can be difficult to adjust to an English environment 24/7, particularly when confronted with academic terminology that they may be encountering in English for the first time,” McCullough said.

Wildcats Around the World

Baker has a longstanding commitment to supporting students in international education by providing a robust study abroad program. Students can travel for a week or two during interterm or spend a full semester in another country. The national average for undergraduate study abroad is just 3 percent of students, and roughly 16 percent of Baker students study abroad each year.

Recent Baker students have studied throughout western Europe as well as Australia, New Zealand, China, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hungary, and Turkey. More than 500 Baker students have studied at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England.

“At Baker, we focus on educating our students about their study abroad opportunities during International Education Week,” said Dr. Robyn Long, director of study abroad. “IEW is a celebration of the benefits of international education for students and the communities they return to. They typically return as stronger students, more flexible, self-aware, skilled and professionally desirable people, too. IEW is also an opportunity to celebrate a diversity of cultures, and I like to celebrate the positive impact of our international students.”