International Networking Tips from the Webinar

An International Networking Webinar took place on March 26, 2020 via Zoom. This event was intended to continue to build a network of individuals who have lived outside the United States and now work at MSU. The session was sponsored by the WorkLife Office, Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS), Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development (OFASD), and the Office of Post-Doc Affairs. Resident experts from each sponsor were present to answer any questions. The highlight of the event was a Q&A session with the panel.

Here are some excerpts from the webinar:

Paoline Prevost is a post-doc who came to MSU via France. Paoline stated that the biggest initial barrier at MSU was dealing with administrative paperwork.

Ramjee Ghimire is a post-doc who came to MSU via Nepal. Ramjee explained how the language barrier has an impact on learning. Ramjee also pointed out that the informal student-teacher relationship(s) found in classrooms at MSU is much different than formal norms in Nepal and elsewhere. In Nepal and India, students are generally supposed to obey teachers and don’t dare question them. Ramjee said the many orientations offered at MSU were helpful. Like many Americans, Ramjee found the US health system very complex and confusing.

Shawn Wei has been in the Midwest for a while and didn’t experience much culture shock coming to MSU. Transitioning from a post-doc to assistant professor was difficult, but that is common for domestic scholars as well. Shawn was astounded at how expensive car insurance was in Michigan. Shawn arrived at MSU in January, so there weren’t as many orientations at that time as in the fall when Paoline and Ramjee arrived.

Resident experts were also available to answer any questions. There were two representatives from OISS, Neringa Tuyilingire and Brooke Stokdyk. Neringa advises MSU departments and employees on the H-1B and MSU Employment-Based Permanent Residency process, prepares and submits H-1B applications on behalf of MSU, and liaises with immigration attorneys on MSU Employment-Based Permanent Residency applications.

Barbara Roberts, Executive Director for the WorkLife Office, played a key role in the webinar by using the “Poll Everywhere” online application to conduct an interactive part of the session that allowed participants to submit and then rank questions to the panelists. The first question to rise to the top was, “How can we encourage more cross-cultural activities and communication?”

One way the WorkLife Office has responded to that question is by launching an International listserv at MSU. We encourage all faculty, staff, and post-docs who are or support International Spartans to subscribe to the listserv. Instructions can be found at https://worklife.msu.edu/listserv

The WorkLife Office encourages you to watch the recorded video. The WorkLife Office plans to conduct an in-person networking breakfast when on-campus activities resume. Make sure to stay tuned to the WorkLife Office for more information!

Get other international resources and information on this site.