Blog Posts

Maria Quilis

3/6/2023

International Student Advisor, Academic English Language Programs
Framingham State University

What inspired you to work in this field?
I am originally from Madrid, Spain. I have been living in the United States for 11 years now. Before coming to the U.S., I had the opportunity to live in France and in Great Britain. Immersing oneself in a new culture and getting to know new people is a beautiful and challenging experience. This international background and the fact that I love being among international people is what motivates me to work in this field.

What are the challenges you've faced?
Language barriers, homesickness, and integration in the host community. For me, that is why it is especially important to be present for our international students and make sure to provide all the support they may need during their cultural adjustment.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I hope to help the international students that are studying with us to achieve their dreams, whether it is studying English to progress professionally or accessing an American university to study for an undergraduate or graduate degree.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Landing in a new culture and leaving behind family and friends is not easy. To overcome homesickness, I always recommend that students join clubs or find hobbies that give them the opportunity to meet new people and provide a few social events to look forward to during their first few months in the U.S.

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Maria Popel

3/6/2023

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Director of Graduate and Continuing Studies
The University of Tampa

What inspired you to work in this field?
My personal journey being an international student.

What are the challenges you've faced?
Explaining cultural differences and educational standards in the U.S.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I love helping students change their lives and exploring new opportunities. I make a difference.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Find the right program for you. MBA is all about the right fit. Stay humble, stay open to new endeavors, stay out of your comfort zone. Make new friends, travel, and enjoy this life!

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Mei-Chi Piletz

3/6/2023

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Executive Director of Global Education
Mississippi College

What inspired you to work in this field?
Coming from Taiwan as an international student, I remember well the difficulties of U.S. college life, culture shock, financial hardship, and finding a job in the U.S. after graduation. No way could I have overcome these hurdles alone. God brought many wonderful people into my life to serve as guides and encouragement, so I now want to be an instrument of the same.

The love shown by these former educators has inspired me to enter this field and advocate higher education for generations of future international students in America. My family and I are proud to call Mississippi College (MC) our home, and wonderful, inspiring people surround us daily. It is my privilege to daily help international students shape the trajectory of their lives for the better.

What are the challenges you've faced?
When I was named the Executive Director of MC’s Office of Global Education (OGE), MC already had many (mostly Chinese) international students and a well-established infrastructure. However, there wasn’t much cross-understanding among the faculty to teach these students, and many students struggled not only with grades but also with a feeling of not belonging to mainstream campus life. Therefore, from the beginning of my directorship, my goal has been to make our office a home away from home for international students.

Various challenges have arisen along the way over the past 10 years at MC, including huge changes in political landscapes, local cuts in funding and staffing, rising expenses abroad due to the strong U.S. dollar, and, of course, the myriad ramifications of Covid-19. Everyone suffered during Covid-19, but the university responded by creating the MC Cares Fund. With that charity, we could retain and locally house and educate most international students throughout the pandemic waves.

Nowadays, we’re adapting once again due to the changing landscape. We’ve created a new curriculum featuring more online and hybrid classes, flexible starting dates, and STEM courses. We are also pivoting toward south-central Asia in our students' new post-Covid demographics and needs. All along the way, we have held to our Christian values as a lighthouse in a storm of cultural upheaval. We are recruiting, enrolling, nurturing, graduating, and career-placing our students, and they are making a difference in the most amazing places.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
As MC approaches its 200th anniversary in 2026, we realize the need for renewed branding. Although our constituents know Mississippi College as a full-fledged bachelor-, master-, and doctorate-granting, four-year comprehensive university, most of our international recruitment suffers from being misperceived as a mere college. In fact, we are a premier Christian university with a time-tested record of life-changing opportunities, but for tradition’s sake, we have been preserving the name. Yet, to move into our third century, there’s a major consensus here to push forward a more modern name and message on the international stage.

Besides this goal, we hope to raise more scholarship funds for our international students. We recently created a new fund called the Pletzchen International Student Scholarship Fund for this need. And finally, in terms of holistic Christian education, we’re working with local churches, organizations, and social groups to create more host family programs for our students while at the same time getting our students involved in work studies, mission trips, and teaching situations where they give back to the local community and world.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Never give up. If you run into a major hurdle, just start working on it with whatever tools you have.

Give your best to what your main thing is. Don’t do your studies half-heartedly.

Count your blessings and be grateful to the people and the environment that has helped you.

Don’t strive to be the big-shot leader. Instead, be a servant leader. Help people!

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Akiko Ota, Ed.D.

3/6/2023

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Director, English Language Learning Center
Governors State University

What inspired you to work in this field?
The students’ smiles, especially when they learn something new, and seeing them gain more confidence as time goes on while they are studying English as a second language.

What are the challenges you've faced?
A challenge I have faced was that some people judged me as not being credible to teach TESOL. People also judged my appearance and my origin. However, it has always been the matter of time for them to see what I can offer the students. I became a role model as a non-native English speaker who achieved professional proficiency and has helped the students achieve their goals.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I would like to keep being a role model for any English language learners and to motivate them to achieve their goals learning and using English effectively. If I can do it, anyone can.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Students often say “I don’t have time” for anything outside the classroom. However, a lot of great learning and other opportunities came to me as I enjoyed the detours of life. Going out to coffee shops, parks, restaurants, events, etc. Joining a club and meeting new friends are great opportunities for learning which comes from those non-academic experiences. So, don’t miss such incredible opportunities!

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Christine Murphy

3/6/2023

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Vice President for Enrollment Management
St. Joseph's University NYC

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as Vice President for Enrollment Management at St. Joseph’s University, New York. In my role, I get to work with domestic and international students from all over the country and all over the world, be part of a dedicated team of talented faculty and staff, and live/work in one of the most exciting cities in the world, Brooklyn, New York.

In light of International Women’s Day, I would be remiss if I did not also mention that our incredible institution was founded in 1916 by a group of brilliant, brave and forward-thinking women, who were part of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s.

What inspired you to work in this field?
The EXPERIENCES inspired me early in my career and continue to inspire me in my work today! Early in my career and every day thereafter, I have been fortunate to meet incredible students, collaborate with talented faculty, and work with dedicated staff. Seeing the impact of the work we do through success stories and changed lives is very rewarding. It really is the people and the experiences have kept me inspired all along the way.

What are the challenges you've faced?
Managing the pace and volume that comes with my work has certainly been a challenge at times, but with teamwork, mentors, and hard work I have been able to overcome and usually learn from those challenges.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
Since most of our international students have been attracted by our incredible New York City location, I have not actively recruited abroad in my current role. I hope to spend more time abroad meeting prospective international students and visiting the schools where our international students studied before joining St. Joseph’s University, New York.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Look for a campus community that is supportive and welcoming! Also, look for a community “beyond campus gates” that is vibrant, welcoming and full of opportunity, so you can maximize your experience and supplement what you are learning in the classroom and on the campus itself.

Chat with other students to hear about the student experience firsthand and get some pro-tips from those who have gone before you. Our St. Joseph’s University, New York students are always willing to help.

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Ana Morales

3/6/2023

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Program Manager International Student Programs
Highline College

What inspired you to work in this field?
My mother was an international student from El Salvador, and I really want to help students who have been through the same process. I feel connected to each and every one of our students. My passion for international study stems from my background. I am very privileged and honored to be able to support students through the U.S. educational system and help them reach their goals.

What are the challenges you've faced?
I managed the payments and I am the liaison between the cashier’s office and our office. I was also a lead in the cashier's office prior to my current position. However, we have converted to ctcLink recently, and for me, the challenge would be explaining the tuition and charges on the account so it’s understandable to students. However, being patient and using clear language is helpful.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
Continue supporting students from around the world to achieve their education learning experience in the U.S.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Get in touch and stay in contact with the international program team. We are here to support you. No question is a stupid question. We understand that you may have many questions — from immigration to how to open up a bank account. Also, get involved with on-campus activities!

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Chloé Martin-Bonneville

3/6/2023

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Sr. Marketing and Communications Specialist
Arizona State University Global Launch

What inspired you to work in this field?
My interest and passion for traveling and studying abroad started early. When I was 15, I came to the U.S. for the first time to improve my English and live in upstate New York for a summer with an American family. After that, I knew I wanted to travel and study beyond my home county, Spain. I finished my BA in Advertising and Public Relations in Italy and my MA in Corporate Communications in Denmark. And I’ve never stopped after that.

International education shaped my young adult days, opened my mind, and gave me experiences that, otherwise, I’d never have had if I had stayed in Spain. All of these experiences made me realize how lucky I am and that I had to give back to all those students who wanted to do the same thing I did. That’s when I knew I wanted to utilize my marketing and communications skills to promote international education.

What are the challenges you've faced?
Working in this field as a non-native English speaker, it’s hard sometimes. There are moments when I am unsure if I am communicating things correctly, or my inner saboteur comes and makes me doubt myself. These feelings are entirely normal and part of learning every day. And this happens in every aspect of our lives, whether at work, living in a foreign country, or learning a new language. Then I remembered where I am right now, and all those situations made me stronger and the woman I am today.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
To continue working in global marketing and education and utilize my language skills as much as possible. Provide other students worldwide with the possibility of getting international and affordable education, especially those students who don’t have the means or don’t know where to start. It can be intimidating, but it’s possible, and the outcome is priceless.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Please do it. Do it even if it seems scary or it is your first time abroad. You are not going to regret it even for a moment. You will gain not only a new language but experiences and new friends. Most likely, this experience will shape your future and how you see the world and advance your career.

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Kristi Marchesani, Ph.D.

3/6/2023

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Director of International Recruitment and Admissions
University of Northern Iowa

What inspired you to work in this field?
After graduating from university, I worked at an international high school in Europe. Many of the students from around the world came to me for help on their college applications and decisions. I realized that I enjoyed working with young people on their academic journey and assisting them to figure out their next steps. Working in international admissions at UNI was then a natural fit.

What are the challenges you've faced?
Working in international education for the past 24 years has definitely had its share of challenges, however, nothing compares to the struggles we’ve experienced the last few years with COVID. It had a significant impact on our ability to effectively help young people with their plans to study abroad and meet their educational goals.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I want to continue to rebuild the international population at UNI and help students to make the most of their educational experiences in order to find success after graduation.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Find your best fit! There are so many great universities in the U.S. and you will find success when you find the school that gives you the opportunities to engage and excel.

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Alison Luse

3/6/2023

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Sr. Marketing Manager
USI Travel Insurance Services

What inspired you to work in this field?
I work for the travel insurance industry, and part of our portfolio is providing travel medical plans to international students. Having been a French major in college, studying abroad several times, and spending a year abroad in my adult life to teach English, I am naturally passionate about travel and learning about different cultures. I love working in a field that connects me to people who share this passion.

What are the challenges you've faced?
The main challenge has been learning a new business. Prior to starting this work over five years ago, I never worked in the insurance field. But the learning has been fun, and I’ve met so many wonderful colleagues and peers in this field who teach me every day.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I hope to continue sharpening the brand for USI Travel Insurance Services and increasing our exposure as a long-trusted and reliable travel insurance provider.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Travel abroad! You are already thinking about it, and possibly already decided, so you’re an easy audience for this advice. The most enriching experiences of my life have been living abroad — not just traveling, but truly living a regular life in another country, surrounded by a different culture and language. You will hold onto the memories and the eye-opening experiences for the rest of your life. I’ll leave you with a favorite quote: “The only things in life you regret are the risks you didn’t take.” So be bold, do something that scares you — you’ll never look back.

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Chigusa Katoku

3/6/2023

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Director of International Programs
Mission College

What inspired you to work in this field?
I was born and raised in Japan and came to the U.S. as an international student in 1992 (returned to Japan in 1993) and again in 1999. I went through my own set of struggles as a foreign student — learning English as a second language, feeling homesick, trying to be more “Americanized” to fit in, trying hard to prove myself, and having an identity crisis.

The reason why I am in the field of international education and doing what I am doing is because of my background and experience as an international student in the U.S. Every day I feel proud of the work I do as the Director of International Student Programs and Services at Mission College. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than being able to help and connect with international students.

What are the challenges you've faced?
I wrote about some of my struggles as an international student earlier, but as my career has progressed and my personal life has evolved, I have faced new challenges. The biggest challenge has been finding the balance with all facets of my life — career, family, and personal care and fulfillment. I have been happily married to the love of my life, who I met in an Irish pub in Tokyo in 1997 (he is from Dublin, Ireland), and we have a 14-year-old daughter with special needs. My husband has a demanding career in Silicon Valley, and because neither of us is from here, we do not have our family to fall back on when life throws us curveballs.

I am a typical Type A personality and tend to over-function under stress. A year before the pandemic, I hit a breaking point and became ill due to severe stress. That was a wake-up call for me. Since then I have been on a journey of self-discovery and refocusing on my values to live a wholesome life. Now I focus on having joy in my life and giving joy to others.

There is so much more to say about this, but the key steps I took were to learn to ask for help and be okay with not being okay.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I hope to continue to build bridges between countries and help connect people with others from different cultures and backgrounds. One way to do that is to promote study abroad. My dream is to be able to create an opportunity for everybody to visit/live in another country. This is a lofty dream, but I keep working towards that dream every day.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Take the courage to advocate for your education and your future. Studying abroad will be a life-changing opportunity for you.

Ask for help. Living in another country can be exciting but stressful. People want to help you.

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