The Foreign Student in the American Library School. I

Abstract

This study is based on the experience, observations, and reactions of foreign students to American library education. It seeks to answer the question of how the student reacted to his year or more in an American library school: What benefits did he derive? What were his satisfactions and frustrations; his handicaps and shortcomings; his expectations, whether or not realized; his difficulties on and off campus; his disappointments; and his ability to apply his American education to his subsequent career? Each American library school with an accredited program was asked for a list of its 1965-69 foreign graduates, together with addresses. A questionnaire was sent to each, inviting comments on the above points. Though most of the respondents expressed general satisfaction, there were numerous criticisms and suggestions for change. These questionnaire responses are discussed in Part I, presented here. Since many of the criticisms echoed those of some American graduates who questioned the rationale of library ...