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ICOS Seminar – “ Enhancing the student experience: what do students really need?“ The UCC Experience. Suzanne Buckley - Support Officer for International Students Tel: 021 4904725 Email: s.buckley@ucc.ie 10 June 2010. UCC –Facts . International Student population: 14% student body
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ICOS Seminar – “Enhancing the student experience: what do students really need?“The UCC Experience Suzanne Buckley - Support Officer for International Students Tel: 021 4904725 Email: s.buckley@ucc.ie10 June 2010
UCC –Facts International Student population: • 14% student body • 2000 students • 98 different countries • Visiting students & full degree Structures: • Vice President for the Student Experience – Champion • Support Officer for International Student – dedicated role • International Education Office = a one stop shop • Peer Assisted Student Support - PASS co-ordinator
Instruments of Feedback • I-Graduate International Student Barometer – 2007/2008 • First Year Student Survey • Focus Groups • One to one meetings • Peer Assisted Student Supporters • Staff - Admin, Support &Departmental staff • Supervisors
Positives Expert Teaching/Learning International Education Office Sports Facilities Clubs/Societies Improvement Some issues common to all students, some specific Need to provide more on-going support Learning styles & expectations Isolated post graduates Finance Visas/Immigration What do students say?
On going challenges Tend to be areas outside our control: • Government frameworks and policies – eg visas for spouses and families, travel to conferences • Inconsistencies in interpretation • Competition from countries with more favourable immigration rules and graduate right to work options. • Budgets!