The Facts

On 3/8/2021 1:00-1:34PM, I spoke over the phone to Komila Mirakhmedo, representative for the International Student Service Center. At the time of the interview, Komila was in transit to another location. Before the interview, I had emailed her with the questions that I would be asking, along with the reasoning behind the interview. The interview was conducted over the phone. During the interview, I asked the same question that I wrote in the email sent to her the day before. I also gave her some context to my Idea ScoopU including what what its purpose would be and how it would function as a business. She commented that she really liked the idea and thought it was a “good idea”. You will find that I have added some information in parenthesis, to add some context for the reader. Below are the five questions that I asked her, along with her responses:

1. What is the purpose/objective of the international student service center?

The objective of the ISSC is surrounding proper immigration documentation and processing. The goal is for the student to not get kicked out (of the school/country), and help them as they go through the document process.

2. What is the protocol/process when an incoming student gets admitted into Baruch?

Once the student is verified, we give them a package (to fill out). (The packet includes) health insurance (documentation), and undergrad admission (information/documentation). (This package shows the student) how to get an ID card, but nothing about the external environment (anything not involved internally within the school)

3. What resources are international students given when by the international students center?

We don’t have the resources or staff for that (to give one to one guidance for international students beside the documentation and admission process). (some information on) housing but no resources on how to find an apartment. We point them in the direction of other resources that could help them out around the school like the welcome center gives info about the housing. The writing centers are mostly international students (both the employees and the students that go there for help). Conversational partners, and an organization called “Culture around the world” are another service (but it is) a paid service. International student organization (club).

4. What are some of the biggest challenges the international student center faces?

There are so many students that it is hard to keep that connection when they are far away (both students that are abroad when trying to receive admission because of the time differences, but also after we process them because we have to help new incoming students). Another one is helping them feel like they belong here (“here”: to make them feel comfortable in the school, in a new city, and/or in the country. We can’t focus on them as an individual person because there is not enough staff.

5. What are some of the biggest challenges that international students face?

The challenges of being away from home. Harder to get blended in. (the student could be off to a bad start if) they missed the orientation. Like i said we usually direct them to direct them toward ISO (international student org).

The Reflection

Although I was hoping that I could have gotten more in depth responses to the questions asked, I empathize with Komila for having to multitask on a busy schedule, and so I am grateful for her allotment of time to conduct this interview. In regard to the responses, a lot of the data that I collected did reinforce the main purpose behind a service like ScoopU. Incoming students are given the proper documentation but sent in other directions to accumulate necessary resources, such as the ISO or the writing center. And no assistance exists outside the parameters of the academic institution. The new information presented to me during the interview was the few other clubs and organizations that are available, which I will have to take into account going forward. But over, the consensus I got from the interview in regard to the ISSC was that the priority is documentation and not individual. 

The Next Steps 

After the interview I feel equally as confident going forward with the ScoopU service. More research needs to be done by speaking to other competitors. I have reached out to the admissions center at Baruch on the 7th of March to conduct an interview but they have yet to respond. But based off of new information, it would be in my best interest to reach out to the international student club and get a better understanding of their purpose and what they provide for international students as well. But with that being said, as far as my knowledge goes, I do believe that ScoopU holds a unique value proposition that Baruch lacks. And perhaps now i can begin to expand my parameters of my ScoopU service to not only think of how it would work at Baruch, but then other Cuny colleges, then other academic institutions in the Tri-state area, then the state of new york, and then the east coast, and perhaps even across America.