Hiromi Sumiyoshi keeps a close eye on her international students because she knows what it is like to be an ocean away from family and friends.

After graduating from Baika College in Osaka, Japan, she enrolled in an exchange program with Mount Union College in Ohio. Although her original goal was to become an English teacher in Japan, she soon found herself taking a job as a professor at Mount Union. Five years later, after earning a master's degree in foreign language education from Ohio State University, Sumiyoshi joined the Elon faculty.

When Sumiyoshi arrived at Elon, the school's Asian language program was practically nonexistent, and Elon had only a small number of international students. She came to Elon on a two-year grant to be a full-time Asian language and culture professor, which included teaching elementary-level Japanese language classes and Winter Term culture courses.

"That's how it all started," says Sumiyoshi with a smile. "Now, it's not really like a job because I have fun."

After spending three years as a professor, Sumiyoshi accepted the position of international student advisor. Since then, she has watched the number of international students grow and relations with overseas sister schools like Baika evolve and improve. This year, 32 international students joined the program to bring the total number enrolled to 61.

"My main goal is to establish a support system for students," Sumiyoshi says, adding that international students' needs are easily overlooked because they differ from the norm. "I try to take care of advising services, programming and advocacy for the students."
She meets with students regularly to go over tax forms and student visa issues, as well as lending an ear to those who want to talk.

"These students are all kinds of people from all over the world," she says. "They are very talented and seem to be mature. I enjoy conversations with them and hearing what background they are from, because they are all so different."

Another item on Sumiyoshi's long list of priorities is international programming. She directs international forums, festivals and parties, in addition to arranging International Week each spring. It's a lot of work, but Sumiyoshi takes it in stride.

"Sometimes, when I am really busy and reduce my time with the students, I wish I could spend more time," she says. "But I remind myself that you can't be all fun all the time."

Sumiyoshi has come full circle, as she returned to Osaka during spring break to attend Baika College's graduation ceremonies as a professor. She received an invitation because of her work with Elon's Baika College program, which she has coordinated since its inception three years ago.

Each fall, a group of young women from Baika come to Elon for a semester of intense English as a second language classes. Sumiyoshi says that although the program is successful and the students praise their experiences at Elon, the program will not continue next year.

"Japan is suffering a drastic decrease in its 18-year-old population," she says. "They are cutting back on study abroad, especially at private women's colleges like Baika."

Sumiyoshi says the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have not had a big impact on Elon's international student program. "All the students I talked to said they didn't feel unsafe coming to the United States," she says. "We have a good program that's very rewarding, and students see that. Word of mouth goes a long way, and I think our program will grow in the next few years."