A panel of 4-5 students is an effective way to tell the ISI story. Here are the guidelines for the process.
This info was provided by Ian Downs. Please contact him if you have further questions
How to do it:
Below, I have included an example of a prior year's communication to students, which spells a lot of things out, but let me highlight a few action steps up front to ensure your success:
1. Appoint a liaison to communicate with, pickup, and interview the students. It may be you, but that person needs to be there for the students to help them feel that this is a trustworthy environment.
2. Determine with the Coordinating team when to schedule this and how much time to allot for this exercise. Basically, it needs to be 20 mins. minimum to 30 minutes max. Note that this often requires the coordinator to tighten up their schedule. Lesson 6 is a great time to do this. One of the key points of that lesson is God’s amazing creativity in getting peoples to the gospel or the gospel to peoples. Other lessons are fine though.
3. Determine the time slot that the students will be interviewed. I have done this before and after the speaker, and both work. The advantage of beforehand, from the perspective of ministering to the international, is that, they don't hear a lot of talk about "missions," just prior to getting up to speak. From the class perspective, either way works, but the speaker may comment on things that came up in the interview, if the lecture comes after the interview.
4. Arrange for a prep room to be available for the students and the interviewer prior to the time slot with bottles of water.
5. Find 4-5 students who are willing to be on your panel in advance. Actually, 3-4 students being interviewed is perfect, but almost every time I have done this, I have had a student cancel on me, so recruit an extra and be prepared for adjustments. I aim for gender and ethnic diversity, possibly age diversity to ensure that the class sees a range of backgrounds.
6. Arrange to pick up the students, if possible, and plan to have them comfortable in the prep room at least 30 mins, prior to the interview.
7. After the interview, offer (in advance) to take them out for a meal to visit and thank them. Possibly members of the class would like to come too, to meet them at greater length.
8. During recruiting, give the students a list of questions you may ask them, and during the 30 mins. prior to interview. briefly review with them their answers. Some may feel more confident about certain questions.
9. During the actual interview, have the interviewer and the panel stand or sit in the front of class. Each person should state their name, home country and academic pursuit. The interviewer should switch between different students during the questions. There will not be time for students to answer every question. The interviewer should be nimble on their feet, so to speak, but patient when students are formulating an answer. I don't like to “go down the line” when picking people to answer.
10. Prior to or at the start of the interview, the interviewer/coordinator should tell the class that “We are here to learn from these students, NOT to try to teach them.” Use tact, of course. This cuts off anybody trying to evangelize them during open question time or socializing.
Here's what I told the students and a starter list of questions:
Share about your experience as an international student, and make some new American friends.I have a special opportunity on Saturday, March 1. I help with a class the meets on Saturday mornings at my church. Each year, we have a panel of international students to share, so the rest of the class has a chance to understand what it's like to be a foreign student. You will also get to tell a little about your culture and your people. There are about 30-40 people in the class. You don't have to be Christian to help me. Actually, diversity is better. I promise you that no one will try to argue with you about your beliefs. They just would love to hear from you, and learn.
Afterward, you have the option of joining the students for Pizza lunch - at no cost to you. Just to say thanks for helping out.
If you are on a F-1 or J-1 visa, and would interested to help or learn more sign up below.
The Details
You will likely be in front of a classroom of 40 students, with me. Please be there at 11:30 am; lunch will be over at 1:30 pm.
I will ask each of you questions like:
"What was something that surprised you when you came to America?"
"What is one thing that is hard for you to understand about American culture?"
"Why did you decide to study in the USA?"
"What do you hope to do after you get your degree?"
"This class is learning about other cultures, can you tell them something important about your beliefs or culture?"
or "What is something you wish others understood about your people?"
If we have time, I will ask the class for one or two questions.
We will only be up there for 20-25 minutes or so.
[Insert sign up form here…]
This info was provided by Ian Downs. Please contact him if you have further questions
How to do it:
Below, I have included an example of a prior year's communication to students, which spells a lot of things out, but let me highlight a few action steps up front to ensure your success:
1. Appoint a liaison to communicate with, pickup, and interview the students. It may be you, but that person needs to be there for the students to help them feel that this is a trustworthy environment.
2. Determine with the Coordinating team when to schedule this and how much time to allot for this exercise. Basically, it needs to be 20 mins. minimum to 30 minutes max. Note that this often requires the coordinator to tighten up their schedule. Lesson 6 is a great time to do this. One of the key points of that lesson is God’s amazing creativity in getting peoples to the gospel or the gospel to peoples. Other lessons are fine though.
3. Determine the time slot that the students will be interviewed. I have done this before and after the speaker, and both work. The advantage of beforehand, from the perspective of ministering to the international, is that, they don't hear a lot of talk about "missions," just prior to getting up to speak. From the class perspective, either way works, but the speaker may comment on things that came up in the interview, if the lecture comes after the interview.
4. Arrange for a prep room to be available for the students and the interviewer prior to the time slot with bottles of water.
5. Find 4-5 students who are willing to be on your panel in advance. Actually, 3-4 students being interviewed is perfect, but almost every time I have done this, I have had a student cancel on me, so recruit an extra and be prepared for adjustments. I aim for gender and ethnic diversity, possibly age diversity to ensure that the class sees a range of backgrounds.
6. Arrange to pick up the students, if possible, and plan to have them comfortable in the prep room at least 30 mins, prior to the interview.
7. After the interview, offer (in advance) to take them out for a meal to visit and thank them. Possibly members of the class would like to come too, to meet them at greater length.
8. During recruiting, give the students a list of questions you may ask them, and during the 30 mins. prior to interview. briefly review with them their answers. Some may feel more confident about certain questions.
9. During the actual interview, have the interviewer and the panel stand or sit in the front of class. Each person should state their name, home country and academic pursuit. The interviewer should switch between different students during the questions. There will not be time for students to answer every question. The interviewer should be nimble on their feet, so to speak, but patient when students are formulating an answer. I don't like to “go down the line” when picking people to answer.
10. Prior to or at the start of the interview, the interviewer/coordinator should tell the class that “We are here to learn from these students, NOT to try to teach them.” Use tact, of course. This cuts off anybody trying to evangelize them during open question time or socializing.
Here's what I told the students and a starter list of questions:
Share about your experience as an international student, and make some new American friends.I have a special opportunity on Saturday, March 1. I help with a class the meets on Saturday mornings at my church. Each year, we have a panel of international students to share, so the rest of the class has a chance to understand what it's like to be a foreign student. You will also get to tell a little about your culture and your people. There are about 30-40 people in the class. You don't have to be Christian to help me. Actually, diversity is better. I promise you that no one will try to argue with you about your beliefs. They just would love to hear from you, and learn.
Afterward, you have the option of joining the students for Pizza lunch - at no cost to you. Just to say thanks for helping out.
If you are on a F-1 or J-1 visa, and would interested to help or learn more sign up below.
The Details
You will likely be in front of a classroom of 40 students, with me. Please be there at 11:30 am; lunch will be over at 1:30 pm.
I will ask each of you questions like:
"What was something that surprised you when you came to America?"
"What is one thing that is hard for you to understand about American culture?"
"Why did you decide to study in the USA?"
"What do you hope to do after you get your degree?"
"This class is learning about other cultures, can you tell them something important about your beliefs or culture?"
or "What is something you wish others understood about your people?"
If we have time, I will ask the class for one or two questions.
We will only be up there for 20-25 minutes or so.
[Insert sign up form here…]