Category: English Language Institute
Support through transitions
June 24, 2025 Written by Julie Lopez | Scott Duarte
International students who make the exciting journey overseas, leaving their support network and the education system they know behind to pursue an undergraduate degree at UD, can feel overwhelmed their first few months adapting to their new life on campus.
The English Language Institute (ELI) provides two impactful transition programs for new international students to have a softer landing: Academic Transitions (AT),a pathways program for conditionally admitted students to boost their academic English language skills and support their acculturation to university expectations, and Accelerate-U Delaware (A-UD), an opt-in first semester program for directly admitted international students to support their cultural and academic adjustment. Students in both programs take credit-bearing university courses supported by discussion classes led by Instructional Assistants (IAs).
Jueun Kang, an A-UD participant and recent graduate in mechanical engineering from the Republic of Korea, and Rakin Chowdhury, an A-UD participant and sophomore computer science major from Bangladesh, served as IAs in the AT program this spring. The experience gave both a chance to gain professional leadership skills and help other international students develop strong study skills before they matriculate to UD.
Kang reflected on her experience in the A-UD program, and her work as an IA for an intermediate algebra class.
“The support I received from ELI left a strong impression on me,” she said. “Since it was my first time in the U.S., I didn't know where to turn for help when I faced variable issues. The ELI advisors and IAs provided me with incredible support during that time through many challenges. Because of that experience, I thought that I would like to help international students who are studying abroad for the first time in the U.S., just like I once was.”
“As an IA, I didn't just want to return the kindness I received at ELI, I also wanted to overcome my own weakness in communication. With the help of Julie Lopez [Instructional Assistant Supervisor] throughout the semester, I learned how to communicate more effectively and meaningfully, and I was able to apply those lessons directly with my students. It became a continuous learning experience for me as well. It helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I will always cherish it,” Kang shared.
Chowdhury also felt he became a better communicator.
“This experience helped me improve my interpersonal and professional skills. I’ve learned how to balance both being professional and approachable as a leader,” he said.
Besides his IA role for Scott Duarte’s LEAD200: Leadership Challenge course, Chowdhury has played major roles the past two years on UD’s student government and on decision-making boards for UD’s leadership team. He has his sights set on becoming the next student body president in 2026.
Former international ELI students aren’t the only ones who benefit from this paid on-campus position; domestic students also gain valuable cross-cultural experience interacting with and teaching AT program students.
Jennah Majid, who grew up in Claymont, Delaware, was the IA for an integrated calculus class. She says the one word that best describes her experience is “insightful.” She explained that she learned a lot about being in front of the classroom and how to encourage participation. This meant preparing effective questions for the students to figure out how to solve problems by themselves instead of her always showing how she would solve the problems.
“I feel a lot less reserved and more confident in and outside the classroom now,” Majid said.
Jess Hippel, a New Jersey native majoring in earth sciences, assisted a geological hazards class and said her biggest take-aways were “improving [her] general planning and organizational/time management skills as well as communicating with people from different backgrounds.” She commented how much she enjoyed hearing about the students’ experiences and how people view experiences differently.
For new students, especially international students, a welcoming learning community provides such rich soil for roots to develop and growth to take place. These programs cultivate community for both international and domestic UD students, fostering a greater sense of belonging by building their confidence with interpersonal communication and academic success. UD has a reputation for being a welcoming place, so remembering that the value of being good hosts to our international students should never be underestimated.
