Meran Paul
Features Editor
Mr. Travis Parker is the international student and scholar adviser at Sewanee: The University of the South. He received his B.A. in Foreign Languages from the University of North Alabama and his M.A. in Humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas. Since 2009, Parker has worked in the field of international higher education in a variety of fashions, seeking to foster pathways of success for international students in the United States. Mr. Parker’s main duties are focused on F-1 and J-1 immigration advising and being the primary point of contact within the university for matters relating to Sewanee’s international populations.
Parker was a foreign language student in undergrad and studied abroad twice about which he said, “After I had those experiences, I knew that whatever I was going to set myself to do had to have a global impact.” Learning languages played a huge role in this realization. “Learning languages is, in many ways, learning culture,” he added. “You can’t fully understand and appreciate a language until you understand different facets of the culture that speaks it.” For Parker, growing up in a small, rural town only strengthened his desire to explore the world.
Now in his 16th year in the field, Parker has witnessed changes in international education in the States. He has seen shifts in student demographics, noting that there used to be more Japanese students studying in the United States; now, students come from a wider variety of places, especially parts of East and Southeast Asia. Parker works with Sewanee’s Office of Global Citizenship, where he handles F-1 and J-1 immigration advising and supports international students throughout their time on campus. F-1 and J-1 are the two main types of visas required to study in the US for international students.
One of the concerns that students encounter, Parker thinks, is that “The U.S. can sometimes come across as a very rules-centric kind of culture.” But Parker emphasized the flexibility and freedom here, encouraging students to explore different majors and fields of interest. “Even if you have a plan, that’s cool, but if you come here and find your passion in something else, we want you to pursue that.”
Sewanee offers various programs to support its international students. In addition to services like student success coaches and mental health counseling, Parker mentions resources that many international students might not be aware of, like an insurance plan hotline where students can talk to someone in their language. “You’re paying for that benefit already,” he pointed out, “so you might as well use it.”
Financial aid is another key topic. Unlike many other U.S. institutions where international students often pay full tuition, Sewanee offers generous scholarships, which are a big draw for many. “Most of our international students are full scholarship, high-financial-need students,” said Parker, noting that this is a unique aspect of Sewanee’s international population.
The Office of Global Citizenship at Sewanee works closely with campus departments to support international students, often advocating for special exceptions. “Most of us speak at least one other language and have spent extensive time living abroad,” Parker shared, explaining how this experience helps them understand the challenges students face as “strangers in a strange land.” He also emphasizes the importance of diplomacy, noting that their role sometimes involves “asking for an exception to a rule” while respecting university policies. “We try to have good rapport with other campus offices,” Parker said, as their goal is to bring perspectives that help create a supportive environment for international students.
Talking about the role of international students in enriching the culture at Sewanee, Parker believes it’s integral to a liberal arts education. “It’s just a smaller world, not in terms of a geographic or a mathematical sense, but in terms of the connectedness,” he explained. “being exposed to diversity,” he added, “is absolutely necessary for one to have a liberal arts education,” and that is one of the core pieces that international students play.
Parker describes his job at Sewanee as rewarding. He finds moments nearly every week when he feels grateful to “get to do what I do.” Reflecting on his background, he shared, “People from my little hometown don’t do these sorts of things.” For him, one of the greatest joys is being “a representation of the United States” to students from around the world. “I get to show that we’re not warmongers, backwards, or unintelligent,” he says, hoping to provide a positive view of American culture. Parker also values hearing students’ stories, which he describes as “a continuous gift,” feeding his appreciation for storytelling and the unique perspectives each student brings.
Looking ahead, Parker hopes to see Sewanee’s international community grow. “I want us to be bold and adventurous, both as an institution and in our student body,” he said. He encourages students to choose study-abroad experiences that push them out of their comfort zones, saying, “Go somewhere truly unique, someplace that will challenge you.”
As he continues his work at Sewanee, Parker remains grateful for the opportunity to do what he loves. “I get to work with people from all over the world,” he reflected. “and I get to help them find their place here. For me, that’s everything.”