The chancellor expressed that he wanted to increase the number of international undergraduate students at N.C. State, since they only account for one percent of the entire international population at the University. This is a great endeavor and will help the campus population reflect a more global population. However, the ways international students are aided as they come into the country and assimilated into the campus need to be changed before the University can start accepting more international undergraduate students.

International undergraduate students should be welcomed, but they should also be provided with ample services. They are new to the country and being independent, just like many American undergraduates. The Office of International Services is the primary contact for these students, however it is understaffed compared to the number of needs the international students have. There are only six University employees who work in the office. If the University starts accepting more international students, that puts more strain on OIS, despite its support base. This will further put international undergraduate students at risk. These student pay out of state tuition, thus bringing in more per student.  As more international students are accepted, the revenue generated should be put towards more office hands to help aid the students. Only with a solid foundation can these student successfully integrate with the University and the country, and help other students around them learn about their culture.

There is a deadline to get into the country for international students to attend the orientation, however there are some students who miss this deadline and do not get into the country until after the session. This session is crucial for international undergraduate students to attend. This is the earliest way they can learn about American culture and learn their way in a new country, many of which are away from their families for the first time. OIS should make sure these students who miss the deadline are not abandoned because of a bureaucratic deadline. These are not numbers, they are students.

International students are extremely valuable on this campus.  International students add an extra type of learning to the college experience.  Being around these students educates the local students, and for international students being around local students, educates them.  In order to ensure that more international students come to N.C. State, we need to properly accommodate the international students who are already in Raleigh.