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At the completion of their master’s degrees, international graduate students who attended the University of Hawaii while on scholarship were surveyed about their programs and the future application of their studies. Most of the participants were drawn from the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program (IFP). The IFP program, begun in 2000, provides opportunities for advanced study “to exceptional individuals who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own countries and greater economic and social justice worldwide.” (http://www.fordifp.net/) In a personal communication, the coordinator of the IFP program at the East-West Center in Hawaii emphasized that these scholars usually do not have prior international travel or school experience. They often come from smaller towns or rural areas. To obtain their perspective, scholars responded to a survey with several open-ended questions in the following areas: English language; expectations and goals; major learning and reflections, including areas of greatest growth and challenge; facilities and services; and program satisfaction. The international scholars were asked to comment specifically on how their study in graduate school will help them in their country and how they expect to use what they had learned when they return to their country. The general topics as well as specific questions in the survey were developed with the input of several IFP scholars as they approached completion of their master’s papers. The paper describes the growth and challenges of the international scholars, as well as discusses what they expect to be able to do in their home countries. By listening to the opinions and reflections of these graduate scholars, the university hopes to find ways to enhance and improve their graduate experience so that they can maximize the positive influence they expect to have upon their return.

Stream: Curriculum and Pedagogy; Student Learning, Learner Experiences, Learner Diversity

Paper: International Graduate Student Scholars Reflect on Their Master’s Work and its Applicability in Their Home Countries

Doris received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota in Education with an emphasis in Second Languages and Cultures. She has taught in graduate programs and in teacher education programs for in-service and pre-service teachers. Doris taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in US public schools and in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Dominican Republic. She has studied Latin, Spanish, and Hindustani including a one year language scholarship to New Delhi. Currently Doris teaches at the University of Hawaii in teacher preparation and master’s degree programs. Her main research interests are teacher education and teacher knowledge.