“The International Community at Hofstra: 2023-2024” by Sasha Ferdinand

 

Diversity at a university is not merely a goal to be achieved but a fundamental necessity for holistic growth and learning. Embracing diversity enriches the academic environment by exposing students to a multitude of perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking. As individuals from diverse backgrounds come together, they bring with them unique insights and cultural nuances that challenge conventional wisdom and encourage critical thinking. This melting pot of diversity fosters creativity and empathy. Hofstra University’s mission is to prepare students to navigate the complexities of an interconnected world. This particular project allowed me to uncover the international community here at our university. In addition, I was able to draw connections as to why our international student population is growing.

My findings, through conversations with department chairs and Hofstra websites, indicate that some campus units specifically target international students and this has a direct correlation in their increasing population at the university. Centers and administrative units such as our very own Center for “Race”, Culture and Social Justice, International Admissions (INTO), the Office of Equity & Inclusion (OEI), New Opportunities at Hofstra (NOAH) and Residence Life (RESLIFE). I found these departments to be the most influential being that they each have their own initiatives to foster community around these types of students.

For example, the Center for “Race,” Culture and Social Justice offers opportunities for diverse students from various backgrounds to explore cultures across many disciplines. International Student Affairs, also known as ISA, plays a vital role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at Hofstra by supporting the needs of international students and fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from all backgrounds.

Hofstra takes pride in its ability to support and to provide resources beyond academic pursuits. For example, a student (will remain anonymous), had reached out to me through the Center for “Race,” Culture and Social Justice, educated me on how ISA helps her with her health insurance, finances, ESL, and more.

Along with the other campus units I mentioned, ISA encourages educational and student engagement. Particularly, International Admissions which curated the Pathway programs, foreign exchange, undergrad and graduate programs, and International Year One. They have been able to welcome students from over 80 different countries listed below.

NOAH and the OEI have similar missions to acclimate students to our university. Interestingly, RESLIFE plays a role in the gradual increase of the international student population. These students often must begin residing on campus and must find a new “home.” RESLIFE created Living Learning Communities (LLCs), which are supposed to “intellectually stimulate and support” students. Some communities that stand out in particular are International Exploration, First-Generation, and Umoja Scholars LLC’s. Each LLC has its own focus that allows for a more personalized experience for students. Students are then able to share their positive experiences when they return to their home country and encourage others to seek opportunities at Hofstra.

These findings support my argument as to why the international community grew at Hofstra. Firstly, the university embraces policies and initiatives that actively promote diversity, encouraging students from various cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds to pursue higher education. Seen through various centers and units such as our very own Center for “Race”, we can see a direct relationship between the international community and campus life/engagement. Additionally, globalization has made the world increasingly interconnected, leading to a rise in international students seeking educational opportunities abroad.

International students hail from:

Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

Sasha Ferdinand is a Student Fellow at the Center for “Race,” Culture and Social Justice, along with holding other leadership roles on campus. She has an interest in healthcare and its intersection with race and social justice issues. This is her second year as a NOAH Scholar pursuing a degree in Health Sciences.