International Community Grows at Hardin-Simmons

March 15, 2019 Lucila Decia, Staff Writer

(ABILENE, Texas)–Hardin-Simmons has become home to 64 international students from 26 different countries, an increase from the 31 international students HSU had in 2016. The international community has been expanding the last few years. This last spring semester, we have welcomed 9 new international students from Asia, Africa, and South America. The HSU family is always excited to receive new international students.

“We are just getting started. This campus has always had a heart for family and being welcoming and including, but over the few years, the passion and the desire to bring the world here has really grown,” said Grey Hoff, associate vice president for global engagement.

Hardin-Simmons has always been committed to being a welcoming and supportive family for students and to provide them with a positive educational outcome. Over the past eight years, our international students have exhibited a 71% graduation rate. Because of its fun, attentive, and approachable community, Hardin-Simmons becomes a home away from home for the students who come from all around the world, shown by the retention rate of 93% for international students.

The Global Engagement Office, together with the International Admissions and Student Life Offices, have been working hard to put more energy into recruiting and finding good students to bring to Abilene. International students bring a special flavor and learning to allow students the opportunity to understand the impact of different global perspectives.

“Our desire is to see at least 10% of our student body to be international students. I really believe there are things that we can learn from the students that come from other countries. I think education is not fully complete unless it is in a global perspective,” says Hoff.

International students enrich the experience of college; it is mind-opening, and it gives them the opportunity to share their stories and culture. HSU has been expanding mainly in Asia and Africa through linking with churches, Christian schools, and meeting with families to reach prospective students. This year, Kendra Duke, international admissions counselor, and Vicki House, vice president of enrollment, traveled to Malaysia and Indonesia to recruit in those areas.

Hospitality plays a considerable role when welcoming students to America and recruiting. Hoff says that the feeling of being welcome and important has a significant effect on students as they arrive to HSU.

“Anytime I have gone to another country and visited, I was picked up at the airport, was invited to dinner; they welcome me like family. We want to return that favor and kindness to our international students as they come to HSU,” explained Hoff.

Hoff talked about how some of the new students heard about HSU through word of mouth. One of whom is a neighbor of a current student from Rwanda. He went across the street, told his friend and later came to HSU.

Because moving to a new country can be challenging, the school provides an orientation week before the start of classes to help them to get familiar with the new environment and culture. There are also volunteers that help to pick up students from the airport and to show them around campus and around Abilene. This year, HSU had almost 15 people volunteering to welcome international students.

“We want to acclimate them to American culture. The first week that we are here we provide food because the cafeteria service is not available yet. We try to get them prepared for immigration, culture, and living information,” explained Mckenna Hammack, international student advisor, and DSO.

During the orientation week, students get their cell phones set up, are taken shopping, and go to the bank, if needed. Global Engagement takes care of every small detail to help students get set up and to accompany them through the process. Orientation also includes a fun day -going to the movies, to museums, to eat out, and to shopping at the mall- to get to know the other students and relax after moving. We also visit the local church and encourage new international students to find a church home as they come to HSU and to Abilene.

A great program that will take place next semester is the opportunity for HSU and the Abilene community to sponsor the welcome baskets that international students receive when they get to Abilene. The baskets contain bed sheets, towels, and other hygiene supplies. When a family sponsors the basket of one student, they can get into contact with them and have a welcome dinner together. This way HSU connects an American family to an international student, and it helps to build community. If interested in sponsoring an international student for their arrival, please contact the Office of Global Engagement at 325-670-1800 or via email at globalengagement@hsutx.edu.

The memories that students make in Abilene will last for a lifetime. International students always show their excitement to be part of the HSU family. As the community grows, the new students already have a place in Hardin-Simmons’ heart. For more information about the international community, click here.

 

Share:
Share: