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Enhancing Internationalisation & Integration for Students. Heather Milburn, Colin Bryson & Ashley Williams. Project Background. Internationalisation agenda Results from the International Students’ Barometer Feedback from students at focus groups & forums Integration Internationalisation .
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Enhancing Internationalisation & Integration for Students Heather Milburn, Colin Bryson & Ashley Williams
Project Background • Internationalisation agenda • Results from the International Students’ Barometer • Feedback from students at focus groups & forums • Integration • Internationalisation
Project Structure Integration Project Extra-Curricular/ Union Curricular/ University Group Work Handbooks & Course Literature Global Chat Societies & Clubs Sabbatical Officers Induction processes
International Welcome Week • Recommendation: less of an emphasis on ‘International’ specific activities during induction phases. • Sheffield University & Exeter Universities: ‘early bird’ week; activities that are open to all on campus pre-Freshers’ Week. • Changes to the social programme are underway.
Sophia (3rd Year International Student) onCourse Inductions: “When I first arrived at Newcastle, it was very difficult to take everything in at one time. It was hard to get information about literally everything all at once. I don’t understand why we [international] were being given course information without the rest of our classmates [the UK students] there. When they did arrive, the international students I knew didn’t go to the ‘general’ induction, because they’d already been to a smaller course induction for international students. I really think that made us [International students] stick out and it made it harder to meet and make friends with my UK peers”.
Key points for integration(Adapted from M. Barker ‘Orientated for Success’, 1990)
Pre-Induction Information • International students given lots of preparation for study in the UK; expectations of Higher Education set up by UKCISA; International Office. • UK students ‘unprepared’ for the amount of diversity on campus. Difference between ‘being aware of’ and ‘being prepared for’. • Recommendation: Change the emphasis placed on diversity.
Student Involvement in the Curriculum • 127 (UK and International) students asked about their experiences. 95% believed group work/ seminar material to hinder integration. • There needs to be more opportunity to • Allow international students and UK students to see the intellectual opportunity that diversity brings with it. • Allow students to explore broader perspectives in a meaningful way. • Colin Bryson: Proposed ‘extra’ module option for students.
Close: Discussion/ Questionsintegration.union@newcastle.ac.uk