Rooting and Branching : Connecting International Students with the Local Community

1. Rooting and Branching: Connecting International Students with the Local Community Jenny Cann, Amelia Lyons, Lawrence Wilson.

2. Reasons for the project: Research and Scholarship • University of Wales, Newport Learning and Teaching Grants. • School of Health and Social Sciences, School of Education and Student Services. • Internationalisation agenda common to all 3 parties. • Desire to learn and grow in understanding, • Commitment to equality and diversity, • Focus on community relations, • Continue to develop a culture of partnership rather than empire building – internally and externally.

3. √ Library, √ Transport to university, √ Accommodation costs, √ Internet access, √ International office, √ Visa advice, √ Student advice, √ Language support. Multicultural, Work experience, Social facilities. Reasons for the Project: International Student Barometer

4. Reasons for the Project: International Student Survey

5. AIMS Identify ways of supporting integration into the local community. Consolidate and strengthen links with local community groups. Identify the experience and diversity that students can offer to the local community. MEANS Examine interests, ethnicity, language, religion as ways into community groups. Use contacts; invite relevant people to the university; identify with them ways of working together. Student survey; interviews with local employers and voluntary organisations Project Plan

6. Results so far: Student Survey-Previous Experience

7. Why do you want to work?

8. How would you benefit from voluntary work?

9. Barriers to finding work

10. What kind of work do international students want?

11. Follow Up Study: Six months on • 55% doing some form of work, • 40% paid, • 6% paid and voluntary, • 14% voluntary.

12. Six months on: benefits of work

13. Next Steps • Interview with local employers, voluntary organisations to find out their needs and experiences. • Events involving representatives of local community groups. • Identification of ways in which we can work together to enable students to make the most of their experience and have a positive image of Newport.

14. Employer survey : Summary of Results OVERALL • Keen to work with international students, • Could see the advantages quite clearly.

15. Employers: General benefits of hosting FREE use of an intelligent person for a period of time The QUESTIONS the intern asks can be useful ones for the organisation to consider. Fosters a WIDER CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE and stronger value base. Some of them have really fresh, current, creative IDEAS and suggestions to contribute 01/09/2014 Newport University Study : Lyons, Cann, Wilson : 2009 15

16. Employers: general benefits of hosting Closer to the ‘YOUNGER generation’ and this helps keep the organisation ‘in touch’ with what is happening in the market place. The process of hosting keeps the organisation UP TO DATE with employment legislation etc. Our employers report GOOD EXPERIENCES of hosting international students. 01/09/2014 Newport University Study : Lyons, Cann, Wilson : 2009 16

17. Employer survey : Private Employers Welcomed their work ethic, Valued their experience, Welcomed their different insights & perspectives, Understood how to use them to advantage, Sometimes highlighted language issues.

18. Employer survey:Voluntary Sector • Valued their research skills, • Caring attitudes to vulnerable groups e.g. the elderly. • Ability to communicate in other languages, • Ability to associate with the needs and aspirations of a range of specific groups. • Lots of opportunities to get involved, • Groups welcome to come forward with specific projects.

19. Employer survey Public sector eg social work Valued caring ethic, Hard working ethic, Broader perspective and value base – adding to theirs, Opportunity to ‘exchange’, Needed University to prepare and then mentor the student in practice Work ‘cheek by jowl’ with them to ensure the placement is well supported Host organisations would value the opportunity to come and talk to the students

20. Early Overall Summary : Both Surveys Immediate need to find work. Supporting students in part-time paid work needs to be a priority for the University. Voluntary work can support the student integration into the community, help them gain language skills and gain relevant experience. Expectations on the part of students and host organisations need to be carefully managed and mediated by the University.

21. Implications for university support systems Universities could usefully gain CV information prior to the student arrival Further develop career/job preparation workshops & support for business and social projects Live and recorded presentations to students for opportunities on websites etc and links Mentoring system/agency style whilst on subject focused placement Establishing and rooting community links and partnerships Standard student advisory service/support for general living issues

22. Research From Here Liquid café with community, employers, religious leaders & groups (may need 2). Research views, barriers & attitudes using the ‘live data’ from the café and responses. Observe & explore how we can work together. Keep it mutual, encourage co – research and partnership. Critical reflection on research methods, ethical considerations etc.

23. From Here • Explore/research hosting combined events. • Develop employment opportunities & prospects. BUT • Be careful not to push back into BME community (‘I don’t want to be with someone like my Dad’) • Be careful to follow through. • Keep it mutual. • Keep refining the research & developing the contact, share the technology, offer benefits.