Building a Strong ISP
International Student Program Intensives
Session #1:
Essentials of a Strong ISP Workshop
Overview: This workshop provides you with the opportunity to assess the overall strength and effectiveness of the International Student Program (ISP) at your school.
Workshop Outcome: By the end of this workshop, participants will have completed a comprehensive evaluation of the ISP, covering key aspects such as Philosophy, School Leadership, Staffing, Roles, Student Profiles, Faculty Training/Resources, Partnering with Home Parents, and Managing Agents.
By completing this workshop, participants will gain valuable insights into the strengths and areas for improvement within their ISP. This assessment will serve as a foundation for enhancing the program’s overall quality and impact.
Presenter
Rochelle Yang
Session #2:
Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Your Unique International Population
International students bring with them a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences which require a comprehensive and holistic approach to support their well-being. In this workshop we will discuss ways to develop a program that addresses these needs by using real life case studies to implement strategies and inspiration.
Presenter
Julie Grant
Session #3:
The Student-Centric ISP
Discuss viewing students as customers and walk through a variety of “customer touchpoints” spanning the initial interview through graduation. The session will focus on student orientation and on-boarding.
Deliverable: Create a relationship-based orientation and program that will set the groundwork for students to thrive.
Presenter
Terri Fraser
Session #4 (open to all attendees):
Fundamentals of a Successful Homestay Program
A well-executed homestay program can significantly enhance the experience of international students. To establish and maintain a successful program, it is crucial to focus on key fundamentals such as recruitment, retention, and training. By implementing best practices and following these tips, you can develop a solid host family program that thrives. Join our workshop to discover more and talk specifically about your program needs.
Presenter
Julie Grant
Session #5 (open to all attendees):
Building a Strategic Plan for your ISP
An ISP is a school within a school, and as educators we may lack the business and marketing expertise needed to launch and grow a successful program. In this session you will use business planning tools to help create a viable plan to grow your program.
Presenter
Terri Fraser
Faculty
Rochelle Yang
Director of International Students | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
Rochelle Yang has worked at Wheaton Academy for ten years and currently serves as the International Students Director at WA. She also teaches Mandarin Chinese. This is her second year serving as the program director; in her previous role, she provided support to International Parents overseas. Rochelle Yang holds an undergraduate degree from Sanda University in Shanghai and a Master’s in Math Education from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Julie Grant
International Host Family & Student Coordinator | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
Julie Grant, RN, BSN is the International Host Family and Student Coordinator. She attended Wheaton College and Rush University where she got her Bachelor’s degree in nursing. She works closely with our school counselor attending to our international students medical and emotional needs. She also coordinates our host families.
Terri Fraser
ISP Consultant | OH
Terri Fraser brings over a decade of ISP creation and management experience, combined with more than 15 years corporate international business and marketing work. As a missionary kid who was sent back to the US alone for college, her personal experience parallels what our international students walk through. The combination of work and life experiences brings a unique and insightful perspective to the ISP space.
Cohorts
This year we are planning three ISP intensives designated into cohorts. Each cohort will be led by a WA Global faculty. Your faculty will facilitate your cohort through two days of workshops with guest presenters, tools, and practical content. You will workshop real issues, gain tools, and hear how others have managed similar situations! You will form a network!