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On the Job with the Office of Global Education

The Bulletin spoke with Eric Merchant, coordinator of international students/programs of the Office of Global Education.

What do people think you do?
“One of the most wonderful benefits of working in the Office of Global Education is that our ‘missions’ encompass and involve the entire campus community. This gives us the opportunity to work with many different faculty and staff members from the various departments. I think that most members of our campus community believe that we are the starting point for most international questions.”

What do you really do?
“We assist international students before they arrive at our campus, often from overseas, and end sometimes several years after graduation. We provide assistance with the university application processes, visa processes, pre-arrival planning and legal and regulatory matters. We coordinate campus services available to them, provide advising on curricular and co-curricular matters, provide liaison with foreign governments, counsel students with personal concerns, assist with adjustment to the community, health care and insurance issues. The list goes on.”

Describe your office.
“A long time ago, the University opted to place the administration of most international programs in one unit. Thus, we have the opportunity to work with, plan, share and assist all professional staff members involved with international activities. The office has eight staff members, including the director, and our international admissions staff. We touch in one way or another, in a small or large fashion, just about every international dimension of the campus.”

What surprises people?
“The diversity on California campuses in general and ours in particular never ceases to surprise our international visitors. I think that people are always interested to learn that close to 2,750 Sacramento State students are foreign born. That’s more than 9 percent of our student population. They represent 127 countries around the world.”

What’s your biggest challenge?
“For those of us engaged in international student activities, constant adjustment to the regulatory environment tops the list. Federal, state and other mandates have increased dramatically over the years, and as a result, forced us to spend a greater and greater portion of our time on activities that are absolutely critical for our international students, but are definitely not ‘educational.’”

What do you get asked the most?
“How do I resolve this ‘X’ problem? How do I obtain a permit to work in the U.S.? Are there any scholarships available? Can you waive the Test of English as a Second Language? How do I apply for a student visa?”