Alicia, a senior student success coordinator from China, works with Shorelight teams at Utah Global, UMass Boston International Direct, and the University of Kansas to support international students as they prepare for their arrival to the US.
Read on to learn more about how Alicia and her team ensure international students receive the best information, resources, and personalized support, so they can thrive once on campus.
Alicia’s Role as a Student Success Coordinator
Alicia began her career at Shorelight as a program coordinator, supporting international students as they completed their degree programs online during the pandemic.
“We used a lot of online tools to help [our students] complete their learning plan online, and also help them to get fully [prepared for] learning abroad [in person] in the future,” she said. Program coordinators ensure students have a positive learning experience as they pursue their campus education online. During their online studies, students can always reach out to their Shorelight advisors and coordinators with questions regarding choosing a major, financial aid support, how they can transition to on-campus classes, and more.
After the pandemic, Alicia transitioned to a new role: student success coordinator, working specifically on preparing international students for their arrival on campus in the US. As a student success coordinator, Alicia is usually the first person from the campus team that students engage with directly. Her team ensures international students have access to all the resources and information they need to arrive on campus smoothly.
“We are responsible for the students, [and we] let them know the pre-arrival steps,” she said. “We are the first [staff members to] contact the students directly from the campus team!”
How Alicia and Her Team Improve International Student Experiences
Alicia works with three campus teams — Utah Global, UMass Boston, and the University of Kansas to support international students from Africa, India, China, Japan, and Korea. Across varying time zones, Alicia and her team ensure international students have a smooth and comfortable transition to their US universities. She works closely with campus counselors to develop workshops and schedule one-on-one discussions with students to help them overcome challenges such as culture shock, language barriers, the need for financial aid, and more.
With Shorelight, students benefit from personalized support services like tailored coaching sessions to navigate embassy or consulate appointments, arranged pickup at the airport when they arrive, help enrolling in English language classes, and more. Coordinators also guide students on how to adapt to their new university environment: Students learn how to communicate and build lifelong friendships with other students from diverse regions, countries, and cultural backgrounds.
Alicia’s Advice for International Student Success
In her role as a coordinator, Alicia encourages international students to be courageous when they first arrive in the US. She knows the journey will have ups and downs, but with dedication, responsibility, and confidence, students can achieve their academic and professional goals and enjoy their time living in the US.
She draws on her own experiences to support her students in overcoming their fears of studying abroad. As a former international student herself, Alicia understands the challenges students may face when they first arrive and ensures that her team will always be there to guide them.
“I can help them conquer this kind of [fear] ... I always share my experience of learning abroad and encourage our international students,” she said.
With the support of Shorelight’s expert advisors and counselors, you too can begin your journey in the US and pursue your university degree while living and working in the US.
“We [hope] to [provide] the most personalized service to our students, let them feel they are supported,” Alicia said. “This comprehensive approach can ensure our students have the support they need to navigate every step of their campus journey!”
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