NAIS Global Webinar Series: Beyond Enrollment: Supporting International Students and Families at Independent Schools

International students represent a significant and growing population across NAIS member schools, with particularly high concentrations at boarding schools. However, specific strategies and resources to support international students and families after enrollment remain limited.

A visa, a dorm room, and an orientation packet solve the logistics. However, they do not address students' academic, social, emotional, and family relationship needs once school actually begins. This webinar in the 2026-2027 NAIS Global Webinar and Meetup Series focuses on four areas: academic experience, well-being, parent and family relationships, and faculty and staff practices that shape teaching, advising, communication, and belonging.

Join Derrick Gay as he draws on research and three decades of experience leading intercultural and belonging work across hundreds of independent schools in the United States and international schools in more than 50 countries. He details current trends, common challenges, and pragmatic strategies to strengthen support for international students and families.

Presenters: 

• Derrick Gay, belonging and intercultural strategist
• Ioana Wheeler, NAIS