International Students’ Workshop

1. International Students’ Workshop Julie Allen, International Students Immigration Service Claire Gordon, TLC Adam Sandelson, LSE Student Counselling Service The format of the Workshop on 31.10.12 may be slightly different to this powerpoint. Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) Wednesday 31st October 2012 2.00pm – 3.00pm, KSW 1.04 Moodle: Learning World (LW)

2. Today’s programme • CULTURE SHOCK • Julie Allen, International Students Immigration Service • ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS • Claire Gordon, Teaching and Learning Centre • SETTLING IN & STRESS MANAGEMENT • Adam Sandelson, LSE Student Counselling Service

3. Culture Shock – what is it? The impact of moving from a familiar culture to one which is unfamiliar ‘Culture shock, like love, is a temporarymadness’ (from ‘Culture Shock Thailand’)

4. Culture Shock … is often discussed in terms of “transitional phases.” These are Initial shock Honeymoon period Distress period Adjustment Phase Independence

8. What students say ‘You have to depend on yourself in London. It’s easy to feel lonely here’ (student from China) ‘I quickly learned that people don’t touch each other very much here. That is very different from Brazil’ ‘Sri Lanka is very slow and relaxed. The pace of life there is so different. Coming to London is like jumping on a rollercoaster’ ‘I didn’t experience culture shock, I experienced price shock!’ (student from China)

9. What students say “When I first came to London and I went on the underground I looked up at the escalator and I saw every race of people and I thought ‘I will never forget this’” (student from India)

10. Resources Website created by international students at Loughborough and Southampton university: www.ukculture.info UKCISA:www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/culture_shock.php International Students House: www.ishevents.org www.ukstudentlife.com

11. Academic expectations Dr. Claire Gordon, Teaching and Learning Centre and European Institute Previous educational experience and LSE Expectations of students at LSE Becoming an effective reader, Participating actively in class Developing your essay writing skills

12. China Iran Syria Jordan South Korea Taiwan Indonesia France Germany Spain Mexico Dominican Republic Japan • Algeria • Morocco • Libya • Egypt • Ghana • Canada • United States • Australia • Kazakhstan • Turkmenistan • Uzbekistan • Russia • Finland • Saudi Arabia • Oman • Latvia • Poland • Greece • India • Sri Lanka • Mauritius • Bulgaria • Romania • Costa Rica • Chile • Argentina • South Africa • Norway • Denmark • UAE • Kuwait • Vietnam • Haiti • Nigeria • Cote D’Ivoire • Tanzania • Kenya • Uganda • Turkey … • … to name a few

13. Small group activity: Expectations of students in your home country concerning: Reading Participating in class Writing good essays

14. Academic practice Common Diligence Respect Punctuality Excellence (elitism) Hard work Recall Reading lots of books At LSE Good writing and referencing skills Following departmental guidelines Being proactive and active Talking to teachers, other students, education professionals … Developing your own well reasoned and substantiated argument Understanding that there is more than one answer

15. (1) Becoming an effective reader Study at LSE – self-directed learning. Reading lists – articles, book chapters -- often very long, overwhelming. Divided into essential and recommended readings. Expectations on students -- read and digest large amounts of material and develop critical analytical skills to interpret and evaluate such resources.

16. (1) Becoming an effective reader Be strategic about your choice of readings. Prioritise quality reading not quantity. Develop targeted reading skills. Look at seminar questions/lecture slides/old exam papers. Identify gaps in knowledge. Take good notes from the start of the year. Develop a referencing system that suits you.

17. (2) Participating actively in class Lectures and seminars. Combination of student presentations, class discussion, small group work, problem sets. Develop your analytical, presentational and communication skills. Expectations on students – active engagement in class.

18. (2) Participating actively in class Prepare well for class (cf: becoming an effective reader) Set up study groups with friends Try out your ideas during small group work (think about specific point and evidence) Be aware that trying to formulate your ideas orally is very good way of developing your analytical skills as well as identifying gaps in knowledge, understanding Dare to step outside your comfort zone Classes are usually constructive learning environments

19. (3) Developing your essay writing skills What lecturers are looking for – expectations on students Focused answer to question Clearly developed individual argument Engagement with academic literature Use of theory and/or evidence to ground your argument Clear structure Clear writing style Consistent referencing system

20. (3) Developing your essay writing skills Plan your essay thoroughly. State your argument upfront, provide a roadmap – in your introduction. Keep it simple silly (KISS). Keep your argument in mind throughout. Links ideas/paragraphs directly back to the question. Show…don’t just tell and don’t tell the story. Think about feedback you have already received. Read through your work at the end.

21. Settling in and stress management Adam Sandelson LSE Student Counselling Service Settling in Tips Practical approaches Sources of advice and help

22. Settling in Tips Talk to others who may feel the same. Speak to people at home but also get involved here. You are allowed to enjoy yourself! Be realistic about what to expect from student life and from yourself Try to balance work and leisure Give yourself time to adjust You don't have to get everything right straight away. Food and sleep …

23. Practical approaches Set realistic and achievable goals Short term targets, longer term strategies Break down huge activities into small manageable tasks Focus on the task, not the outcome Remember past successes Time for breaks

24. Stress Management Skills Physical, behavioural, cognitive… Regularly switch off Schedule some kind of physical activity. Good self care Sleep, diet, etc. Be aware of caffeine, alcohol and nicotine Take time out without guilt. Acknowledge anxiety, rather than denying it. Ask: ‘Are my negative thoughts realistic?’

25. LSE Student Counselling ServiceKSW.507 Free and confidential. Mainly short-term counselling. Book appointments in advance. 20 minutes Drop in sessions at 3.00 each day See website for stress-management handout. Self-help resources on a wide range of student issues (study-related and personal difficulties) e.g. relaxation MP3’s

26. Presentations Studying and Surviving at LSE See website for PowerPoint slides Adjusting to Life at LSE Wednesday 7th November, 12:00pm - 1:30pm: CON 2.05 Good Writing Psychology Friday 9th November, 3:00pm - 4:00pm: CLM G.02 The Psychological Challenges Faced By MSc Students Friday 16th November, 1:00pm - 2:00pm: OLD 3.21

27. Sources of advice and help Your Academic Adviser Library, IT Services Departmental staff Student Services Centre Disability and Well-being Office Moodle: Learning World Student Union and Advice Centre Medical Centre Deans Mental Health & Well-being Advisers Counselling Service TLC study-skills advisers Language Centre Don't wait until problems have grown impossibly large … it’s OK to ask for help earlier.