This Spring, the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) and the Center for Transformative Teaching (CTT) will be delivering several workshops that bring together students, faculty, and staff on campus to discuss ways that we can enhance the academic experience for our international students. Topics for these workshops include U.S. academic culture, classroom engagement, AI and academic integrity, and advising and mentoring graduate students.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is proud to welcome over 1,500 international students from more than 130 countries, each bringing unique perspectives that enrich our campus community. These students face distinct challenges as they adapt to the U.S. academic environment, and it is vital for instructors to understand how best to support their success in the classroom.
To facilitate this, the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) and the Center for Transformative Teaching (CTT) have been delivering collaborative workshops since Spring 2023 that bring together faculty & staff on campus that support our international students. In 2025 we will continue this series by hosting a series of 4 panels throughout the Spring semester. Each panel discussion will provide valuable insights from both international students and instructors, offering strategies to enhance the academic experience for all.
Upcoming Panels:
Helping International Students Transition to U.S. Academic Culture
February 6, 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Explore how global variations in educational culture affect international students’ understanding of classroom participation, assessments, and student-faculty relationships. Learn what instructors can do to help students feel more comfortable and succeed in a U.S. academic setting.
Engaging International Students in the Classroom
March 6, 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Understand the challenges international students face in adjusting to U.S. expectations around classroom engagement such as teamwork and classroom discussions. This panel will focus on how instructors can provide clear expectations and offer flexible engagement options.
International Student Perspectives on AI and Academic Integrity
April 3, 12:30 – 1:30 PM
With the rise of AI tools, understanding academic integrity has become more complex. This session will explore how international students view AI and academic integrity, offering strategies for instructors to navigate these concerns.
Advising and Mentoring International Graduate Students
May 1, 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Graduate students face unique challenges, especially international students who are navigating changes to both academic expectations and cultural adjustments. This panel will provide advice on how faculty can better support international graduate students in their academic journeys.
Each panel will take place via Zoom. We invite you to join these informative discussions and discover how we can work together to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for international students at UNL. To register, visit https://teaching.unl.edu/programming/workshops/#isso.
More details at: https://teaching.unl.edu/programming/workshops/#isso