We are avid readers of all types of materials so we decided to share with our readers our staff bookshelves. Here is our first installment. Please feel free to send us recommendations of books you found helpful and would suggest to your colleagues.
| Cross-cultural Understanding |  |
Susan Cain's book "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" may seem an unusual choice for your international admission officer bookshelf. This is a helpful book for anybody who is not an introvert and who wants to understand his or her environment and improve working relationships. In the international arena, the books offers key insights into introvert and extrovert behaviors within different cultures, also called high context or low context cultures.
|
| Alumni Relations |
|
International alumni relations are among the most neglected areas for university activities. Gretchen Dobson is one of the leading experts in this field. Her book provides a comprehensive overview with lots of practical examples to consider. Gretchen Dobson Being Global: Making the Case for International Alumni Relations (Washington, DC: CASE, 2011) (It would be nice, if the publisher CASE didn't make these type of books as expensive for their audience.) |
| Cross-cultural Understanding |  |
Global Dexterity: How to Adapt Your Behavior Across Cultures without Losing Yourself in the Process This little book "Global Dexterity" is a very readable and enjoyable primer with helpful tips for cross cultural behavior. The author, Andy Molinsky, provides a useful framework to analyze and consider cultural differences and how to adapt to them. His book is a great mix of memorable anecdotes and useful suggestions. The book is also a must read from my perspective for international students and professionals alike. If nothing else, flip to the chapter "Increasing the odds of being forgiven for your cultural mistakes" -- one of the best descriptions I have seen to prepare you and calm your anxiety as you enter other cultures. |
| Higher Education (General) |  |
Not specific to international admissions, but a must read, Jeff Selingo's book College (Un)bound is a broad, well-written overview of the many positive and challenging trends affecting higher education. The book is full of anecdotes and stories. The book is provocative and does not leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling that things are going well for higher education. Nevertheless, the sobering description is a valuable account of the state of affairs by a higher ed insider. Jeff Selingo is the editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education. |
| Cross-cultural Understanding |  |
Gary Althen is one of the fathers of international higher education in the United States. His classic "American Ways" remains a timeless must read for international students and professionals in international student services and admissions alike. In contrast to Global Dexterity, this book is less about how to live successfully with Americans but instead an analysis and description of our own ways. Americans will learn much about themselves-- all the things we take for granted. I wish that I had read Gary's book when I came to the U.S. 25 years ago. |
