How does New Mind help universities bolster authentic engagement, foster intercultural connections, and develop global citizens among their international student population? The answer lies in New Mind's Global Learning Curriculum (GLC).
Our research-informed GLC is a marriage of the prevailing theories of student development and cross-cultural integration. Its three pillars include:
One-on-one advising with a cultural mentor
Student-directed development plans
High-impact experiences
Our approach promotes student agency that is facilitated by advisors who provide equal measures of challenge and support. In our programs, students enjoy immersive experiences across an array of curated topics, accelerating their progress towards personal and professional success.
New Mind Results
New Mind alumni represent what true global citizens can look like. With our personalized attention and guidance, students discover who they want to be and what kind of impact they can have, channeling their personal and professional success into something beyond themselves. As a result they flourish as diplomats who unify cultures, as thoughtful leaders who give back, and as engaged learners employing their critical thinking to forge global solutions.
Average GPA of New Mind Graduates: 3.4
Average GPA of New Mind Honors students: 3.5
Based on UPP Certificate-earning & Honors NCSU cohorts 2015 - 2020
Jack Zixian Zhang, class of Fall 20
This group of lovely, responsible, friendly and enthusiastic people is undoubtedly a valuable harvest of my study in NCSU. I really can't choose the best precious experience during this period of the UPP program, because all the activities I have experienced, all the people I have known, and all the improvement and change of myself, combine them all is the most precious experience. I made a lot of friends, experienced a variety of activities, became more open-minded, and continued to maintain good study habits and a positive attitude towards life. So, thanks for everything that the UPP program given me so that I can successfully start my studies and life in NCSU.
97%
agree New Mind Education helped them achieve academically.
97%
agree New Mind Education taught them the value of trying new, challenging things.
94%
agree New Mind Education increased their confidence to communicate with Americans.
91%
agree New Mind Experience better integrated them into the campus and local community.
Mentors Matter
New Mind Advisors are cultural mediators who guide their students through a journey of self and interpersonal excellence. Their shared goal is to safely and effectively navigate the sometimes opposing socio-cultural, academic, generational, and personal values as they strive for integration. Not only do advisors help students design a Personal Development Plan, but they guide them through a series of topics selected to address cyclical challenges, while leaving plenty of room for unplanned and personal dilemmas. A low student-advisor ratio of no greater than 1:12 ensures students receive personalized attention each session.
William Shi Chen, class of Fall 2019
I still remember that there was a week during which I got into a lot of issues in a few different areas and felt really exhausted. During the one-hour advising, [my advisor] calmed me down, re-energized my mind and break my complex questions into small issues and sorted them in proper order. After that hour, I felt much easier and optimistic, and I finally managed to handle all of them.
Personally Developed Plans
International students face a unique set of challenges while studying in the United States. To support a successful transition, New Mind believes it is as important to focus on identity development as it is to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for academic excellence.
By intentionally tracking and scaffolding personal goals, students become increasingly self-aware as they learn how their habits, learning styles, strengths, cultural background & mindset impact their life. Equipped with this internal map and their campus’ resources, students are empowered to chart their own course towards holistic success.
Zale Yingdong Duan, class of Fall 2018
The basic thing that I learned: Even though I know that I can’t do something perfectly - I have to try. Until you try you can not know how to do it. The important thing is not how well you do, it is what you learn. Because life is a long-distance running, the experience that you have is the most important, not the result.
Immersive Experiences
While the international student presence on campuses grows, schools must enable strong connections among all faculty and students to recognize the benefits of a culturally diverse and fully integrated community. Furthermore, students must apply their classroom learning to real-world situations.
New Mind builds trust and increases engagement between domestic and international students and faculty by working with partners to design intercultural experiences and initiate meaningful dialogue. Through immersive field trips, group projects, activities, seminars, service learning and more, students play an proactive role in their learning. As a result they gain confidence, empathy, global understanding, and able to envision a purposeful journey.
Shawn Xiang Li, class of Fall 2019
Without any doubt, I have had more special experience in America than those Chinese students who are not UPP students. Every single week, I experienced new things through UPP. When I have a conversation with new American friends, I can have more topic of similar experience with them. UPP makes me love the feeling of experience new things. It helps me create my own concept of this world. That is ‘ experiences are all the treasures in one person’s whole life. Human is born to experience new things.