Guy PERRING

Abstract: As student mobility between the United States and the Asia-Pacific region continues to expand, universities across Asia are welcoming increasing numbers of American exchange students. While these mobility programs create valuable opportunities for intercultural learning and institutional collaboration, host universities often face unique challenges in supporting American students' academic success, wellbeing, and cultural adaptation. This session explores the institutional realities of hosting American exchange students in Asia-Pacific higher education settings and vice versa. Drawing on case studies, practitioner experiences, and emerging trends in international student support, the presentation examines challenges related to academic expectations, classroom participation styles, language and communication barriers, student wellbeing, intercultural adjustment, housing, and integration into local campus communities. The session will also discuss how technological innovations, including AI-enabled student services, can support orientation, advising, and student engagement while maintaining meaningful human connections and culturally responsive support systems. Participants will gain insights into strategies that improve student satisfaction, strengthen exchange partnerships, and enhance institutional readiness for mobility programs. Learning objectives: Identify the primary challenges Asia-Pacific universities encounter when hosting (or lack of) American exchange students and/or sending exchange students to the U.S. Examine how differences in academic culture and student expectations affect student experience and institutional support. Explore practical approaches, including AI-enabled tools, to improve orientation, advising, communication, and wellbeing services. Apply evidence-based strategies to strengthen exchange partnerships and foster student belonging, engagement, and success. Develop recommendations for creating more inclusive and culturally responsive mobility programs. Target audience: International office directors, study abroad professionals, student mobility coordinators, student affairs practitioners, faculty leaders of exchange programs, international student support staff, and higher education administrators interested in student experience, wellbeing, and international partnerships.

Abstract: Transnational education (TNE) expansion in Malaysia and China presents both opportunities and challenges for ensuring equitable student experience across geographically and culturally diverse locations. This presentation examines why student experience is critical to TNE success and explores strategies for achieving comparability with home campus provision. Drawing on International Student Barometer (ISB) data and two institutional case studies: Manchester Metropolitan University’s partnership activity in China and the University of Reading’s campus in Malaysia. Student experience impacts institutional reputation, regulatory compliance, and sustainability. Students at TNE should expect equivalent quality of teaching, resources, and outcomes, yet there is also the need to navigate distinct cultural, linguistic, and regulatory environments requiring thoughtful adaptation rather than simple replication. We will demonstrate how institutions can monitor experience across campuses using consistent metrics while respecting local contexts. The presentation concludes with evidence-based recommendations for ensuring all students receive excellent and equitable educational experiences regardless of campus location. Learning objectives: - Articulate why student experience is fundamental to TNE success - Identify key challenges specific to Malaysia and China TNE contexts - Evaluate strategies for balancing standardization with localization - Apply quality assurance frameworks ensuring campus comparability - Develop action plans for measuring and improving student experience across TNE locations Target audience: Those involved in TNE strategy, quality assurance, academic leadership, and student experience (teaching, professional services, and student support), particularly colleagues working with UK–Malaysia or UK–China partnerships and those using survey data (e.g. ISB) to enhance provision.