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International students' identities are complex and so are their needs. Semi-structured interviews with 13 of the lead researcher's former students from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who are multi-national, multi-lingual and pursuing degrees in law, business, economics, medicine, education, art and media, in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia elucidated this reality. Their experiences demonstrated scholastic and pabulum frustrations that were offset in part by constant communication with their clans in person and through various technologies. Though the current model of higher education often seeks to identify and categorize international students as a group, this study shows that international students are unique individuals. Recognizing their individuality, higher education institutions and policymakers can more appropriately respond to international students' needs.

Universities throughout the United States struggle with fiscal issues that can be improved by greater retention and graduation rates. One step often taken is to cut student service spending, which hurts students' ability to finish a degree. While some have advocated for greater spending in student services, we contend that current services may suffice. Since many students do not understand the services available, many do not take advantage of university offerings. This study looks at differences in perceptions between international and domestic students concerning awareness, use, and value of services available at a western U.S. land-grant university. We found many students, both international and domestic, are not aware of available programs, which correlates to less use and perceived value of these services and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Praying for issues related to health can be a very important aspect in peoples' lives. Since research on this practice is limited, a qualitative study was conducted that explored the use of prayer in Hispanic migrant farmworkers diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Eighteen farmworkers were interviewed and asked two specific questions with multiple probes to elicit information regarding their religious practices and prayer. Reponses regarding religious practices were extremely limited whereas the farmworkers expounded on the question relating to prayer. Three main themes emerged: 1) Farmworkers used prayer in their daily lives; 2) Farmworkers prayed for themselves and their family; and 3) Farmworkers recited prayers specifically for their diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]