International placement o pportunities for undergraduate students to enhance employability.

1. International placement opportunities for undergraduate students to enhance employability. Corinna Klaentschi Faculty Placement Development Officer York St John University

2. What is a placement? • Learning that is achieved during a period of time outside the institution. • Learning outcomes are integral to programme. • Learning period is supported by the institution throughout the placement experience. • Placements can be from 3 to 12 weeks.

3. Benefits of an international placement

4. What health students say • experience played a pivotal role in gaining employment. • skills gained are equally relevant and transferable to the UK. • being more culturally aware is being equipped to work in multicultural UK. • increased independence and confidence to search for diverse employment opportunities. • could have gained similar skills in the UK but would not have had the chance of a life time.

5. How is quality ensured in existing international placements? • Partnership with reputable UK third sector providers • Memorandum of Understanding with Universities • Follow QAA guidelines • Follow guidelines set by professional bodies • Visit the placements when possible

6. What is in the agreement plan? • Placement capacity • Length of placement • Learning opportunities • Supervision • Assessment –if required • Accommodation • Health and safety • Communication channels

7. Support for the placement provider • On-going communication • “tutorials” via internet • Commitment for tutor to visit at least once to support student /supervisor, teach and share general good practice • Aim for placement provider staff to visit YSJU where possible

8. Support for health students • Opportunities to meet up with former students • Opportunities to meet up with YSJ staff • Pre- placement training • Suggested reading lists/video links • On-going communication throughout placement • Potential half way visit from visiting tutor • Placement review

9. Transferring the model to non professional placements SIMILARITIES • All degrees have placements • All students benefit in similar ways • Financial issues CHALLENGES • Length of placement • Culture of placements • Learning requirements

10. Curriculum development project • Awarded a Learning and Teaching grant • Interviewed and selected 3 students • Identified 3 staff members • Arranged and funded visit to Bangladesh • Pre and post focus groups with the team • Information portfolio produced for future students

11. Student researcher and Erasmus project • Student researcher explored possible European placement opportunities • Applied pedagogical approach to international placement learning opportunities • Awarded Erasmus grant • Volunteering in Bulgaria for 12 weeks whilst following up options • Will develop information portfolio for future students

12. Challenges for the students • Length of placement • Timing of placement • Importance/weighting of placement • Health orientated options • Being the first!

13. Benefits for the students and staff • Confidence in quality of placement • Preparation and support • Increased autonomy • Widen learning opportunities • Something different!

14. What the students say • Improved cultural awareness • Broadened horizons • Developed a global outlook • More flexible and adaptable • Improved problem solving skills • More Independent • Matured • “Best thing I ever did” • “Amazing” • “I have made friends for life”

15. Benefits for York St John • Attracts dynamic students • Internationalising curriculum • Innovative curriculum projects • Opportunities for staff mobility • Publications and grants • Mutual shared learning • External partnerships

16. Sustainability and the future

17. Thank you for listening! Corinna Klaentschi 01904 876817 c.klaentschi@yorksj.ac.uk