Home About Michigan Doctoral Experience Study (MDES) Findings and Insights International Student Reports International Student Reports 2021 | Annual Brief MDES asks incoming international students to rate their transition to the U.S. Respondents were asked to rate their transition to the United States on a scale of 1 (very difficult) to 5 (very easy). Additionally, students were asked to elaborate on anything that could have been done to ease their transition. This report summarizes challenges and recommendations provided by students to ease the transition into doctoral studies from the viewpoint of international students. The 2021 report includes data from the last five years and looks at differences in students’ experiences pre- and post-pandemic onset. View the Reports View the full report 2020 full report 2019 full report 2018 full report 2017 full report