Emmanuel Abu, a native of Nigeria, is a rising sophomore majoring in public health. He participated in the international bridge service partnership at
Marshall University. (Photo courtesy of Marshall University)
A representative from the college picked him up at the airport. Like other international students, Abu’s orientation lasted several days. He received an extensive tour of the campus that made him feel comfortable and intimately familiarized him with it.
Through a special program for international students, Abu received comprehensive support that helped him to successfully acclimate to an American college classroom.
“It helped me in all ramifications,” says Abu, a rising sophomore majoring in public health. “It helped me settle down as a student. It helped me adapt to the American way of living. It also helped me blend in academically.”
Such comprehensive programs, typically partnerships between universities and private for-profit companies, are increasingly commonplace. Most of the partnerships are holistic, designed to enhance the success of international students by ensuring their academic, housing, assorted student services and other miscellaneous needs are met adequately.
For decades, U.S. colleges and universities have invested heavily in recruiting international students. Now the next step is focusing on retention.
At least 15 institutions have forged partnerships with private for-profit companies that provide bridge services to foreign students. Besides Marshall, other universities include Colorado State, the University of South Florida and Drew University. Some of the for-profit players include companies like INTO University Partnerships and Navitas, two firms that have been doing the same kind of work in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom and Australia for years.
