Program: National Student Exchange
Date: Fri Oct 18, 2013 - 2:00:43 pm
1) Below are your program's student outcomes (SOs). Please add or update as needed.
The program provides opportunities for students to broaden their personal and academic experiences while experiencing new cultures, as well as for them to develop maturity, flexibility, independence, self-confidence, and understanding of other people in other settings. A survey is conducted each year of both outgoing and incoming exchange students to determine to what extent they feel they have been able to achieve their own objectives in the areas of: 1) academics, 2) cultural awareness, 3) social life, and 4) personal growth.
Skills needed for students to achieve these goals, and for which the national program and campus NSE office provide support, include:
For outgoing students:
1) To be able to determine courses needed during the period planned for exchange, including major, general education, and enhancement courses not available at UHM.
2) To research available schools for exchange via the NSE national website and printed guidance materials, choosing one appropriate for personal, social, and cultural interests, which also meets academic needs.
3) To search the host school catalog (on the NSE national website)and determine through the A&R transfer credit website (www.hawaii.edu/admrec/odstc) and meetings with major advisors what courses taken on exchange will count for UHM requirements. To complete an advising form and obtain major advisor signature for study plan.
4) To follow all instructions from the host school coordinator regarding application, financial aid, registration, getting campus housing, and any other host school requirements.
For incoming students:
1) To be able to determine courses needed during the period planned for exchange, including major, general education, and special interest courses only available at UHM.
2) To understand that exchange students register very late at UHM, that upper division business courses are not available to them, and that because of limitations UHM is not a good choice for many juniors and seniors.
3) To follow guidelines provided in the national NSE Directory of Exchange Opportunities, the national website www.nse.org, and the UHM NSE Student Handbook sent immediately on acceptance for application, financial aid processing, campus/off-campus housing application, and health clearance.
4) To follow additional detailed instructions for obtaining course overrides, registration, and financial aid application and processing.
5) To attend mandatory August orientation for information on UHM student rights and responsibilities, including specific rights and responsibilities in campus housing.
2) Your program's SOs are published as follows. Please update as needed.
Program's Website. URL: www.nse.org Student Handbook. URL, if available online: www.nse.org (NSE Student Guide:Exchange Policies & Procedures) Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure. URL, if available online: www2.hawaii.edu/~nse UHM Catalog. Page Number: 516 Other: www2.hawaii.edu/~nse/2013.htm (specific information/instruction site, for accepted incoming students) Other: What's Next for NSE? Specific advising and financial aid information for outgoing students3) Provide the program's activity map or other graphic that illustrates how program activities/services align with program student outcomes. Please upload it as a PDF.
- File (10/18/2013)
4) Did your program engage in any program assessment activities between June 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013? (e.g., establishing/revising outcomes, aligning activities to outcomes, collecting evidence, interpreting evidence, using results, revising the assessment plan, creating surveys, etc.)
Yes
No (skip to question 14)5) For the period June 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013: State the assessment question(s) and/or assessment goals. Include the student outcomes that were targeted, if applicable.
We monitored not only student achievement of the above goals (most students who actually carried out the goals were successful in following instructions shown on the site map), but more broadly, the national goals for exchange. We wished to learn the extent to which visiting students took advantage of their opportunities for formal study of other cultures and languages at UHM, as well as their enrollment in UHM's courses in Asian Studies, Pacific Island Studies, Hawaiian Studies, Ethnic Studies, American Studies, Women's Studies, and Political Science for the diverse perspectives of these courses in the Hawai`i setting. We were also interested in the academic achievements of students during their exchange year. In addition, we wanted to know the students' personal evaluations of the extent to which they were able to meet their own objectives for the exchange experience, as well as the problems they encountered.
6) State the type(s) of evidence gathered to answer the assessment question and/or meet the assessment goals that were given in Question #5.
* STAR reports for each incoming student's enrollment and grades
* A survey tool used for incoming and outgoing exchange students over the last 18 years (which has been shared with other campuses and is the basis for a national NSE-suggested experience evaluation form). On a 5-point scale, students assess their success in meeting their objectives academically, in cultural awareness, in social life, and in personal growth. In addition, they are asked to report the greatest problems in coming to the exchange school (getting housing, getting financial aid, getting needed classes), and what additional information they would like to have received besides that provided. They are also given the opportunity to report other problems from a list of selections. Their assessments are used to modify communication and support.
7) State how many persons submitted evidence that was evaluated. If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.
STAR reports were obtained for 157 visiting student terms (120 fall and 37 spring). During this time period, 34 incoming students and 18 outgoing student submitted the survey.
8) Who interpreted or analyzed the evidence that was collected? Check all that apply.
Program faculty/staff member(s)
Faculty/staff committee Ad hoc faculty/staff group Director or department chairperson Persons or organization outside the university Students (graduate or undergraduate) Dean or Associate Dean Advisory Board Other: 9) How did he/she/they evaluate, analyze, or interpret the evidence? Check all that apply.
Compiled survey results Used quantitative methods on student data (e.g., grades, participation rates) or other numeric data Used qualitative methods on interview, focus group, or other open-ended response data Scored exams/tests/quizzes Used a rubric or scoring guide Used professional judgment (no rubric or scoring guide used) External organization/person analyzed data (e.g., Social Science Research Institute) Other: Compiled STAR course and grades data10) For the assessment questions/goals stated in Question #5, summarize the actual results.
For the assessment questions/goals stated in Question #5, these were the findings:
The 2012-2013 term enrollments showed the following:
Hawaiian language, Hawaiian Studies, or Hawaiian History: 50
Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, German: 45
Asian Studies, Pacific Island Studies, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, Women's Studies, Political Science: 45
Term average grades:
Deans' List: 53 [ 4:00 (or all A`s): 19; 3.50-3.99: 34]
3:00-3.49: 49
2.50-2.99: 31
2.00-2.49: 10
Below 2:00: 7
The survey sent to students included questions worded: "To what extent have you been able to meet your objectives in the following areas: Academic, Cultural, Social Life, Personal Growth. Rate from Not at All (1) to Very Well (5)
Averages of the responses were:
Academic: 4.50
Cultural Awareness: 4.30
Social Life: 4.71
Personal Growth: 4.64
Sample qualitative statements included:
"My experience was more than I had expected. I met a lot of wonderful and interesting people and I learned more about myself and how to be more independent. I am considering returning here for graduate school." "Teachers and staff are super friendly and helpful, and there are a lot of cool clubs to join on campus that will help you meet so many new people from all different backgrounds! I had a life-changing experience!" "It was absolutely amazing from start to finish--I don't want to leave, I love it here." "I found it really hard to balance my study and social life at this school because everything is so new and everyone is "on vacation". I took calculus and chemistry here, and it was very stressful trying to maintain my grades." "Amazing experience--allowed me to branch out and figures out where I fit in. I realized that my home school wasn't where I belonged anymore, and transferred back to UH this fall!" "I think this was the best year of my college experience, so I just wanted to say thank you for being so helpful and for this opportunity!"
Outgoing students' average responses were:
Academic: 4.50
Cultural: 4.30
Social Life: 4.70
Personal: 4.60
They were also asked about specific problems they had, evaluation of the school they exchanged to, and whether they would recommend it to other UHM students for exchange. Over the years we have compiled such assessments of outgoing students for potential participants to consult in choosing and exchange school.
11) What was learned from the results?
For the most part, students succeeded in meeting their objectives in all areas. Other valuable information was gained from less positive responses, which are also shared with relevant campus offices for consideration.
12) State how the program used the results or plans to use the results. Please be specific.
One survey question addresses the greatest concerns students had before coming--getting campus or off-campus housing, getting financial aid, getting needed classes, or other.
Another question is "What additional information would you like to have received beyond that mailed or emailed to you?" Each year pre-arrival communication with students is updated based on these responses. The NSE Coordinator is the major liason between individual students and Student Housing and Financial Aid Services, as well as with all academic departments in assisting students with course enrollments.
13) Reflect on the assessment process. Is there anything related to assessment procedures your program would do differently next time? What went well?
We feel that our assessment tool is effective in determining how students evaluate the achievement of their goals and in what way our support can be expanded or modified.
14) If the program did not engage in assessment activities, please explain.
Or, if the program did engage in assessment activities, please add any other important information here.
Information is provided for potential incoming and outgoing students at www.nse.org and www2.hawaii.edu/~nse
Accepted students are sent most necessary information through the website www2.hawaii.edu/~nse/2013.htm as well as a detailed email and attachments with registration and financial aid processing screen shots. A mandatory orientaiton is held for all incoming exchange students, the day before classes begin. Careful attention to the details of these communication modes supports success in achievement of student goals for exchange.