Orientation Workshops for International Students

Sharon Bolton, Christian Adams, Sara Chesnick

International Student Support

The past

• observation and experimentation (trial and error)

• 2007 & 2008: lunchtime, evenings, after term started

• 2009 & 2010: Early Bird Workshops (2 days), evenings, late orientation

• 2011 & 2012: 3 days before term began

Plans for 2013

• Dates: Wednesday 25 – Friday 27 September

• Aim: to help international students integrate and acclimatise to life at Imperial and in London

• New for 2013: accommodation, online booking

Content of Sessions

• Presentations from College staff and external partners

• Topics include: introduction to the College and support services, immigration issues, English pronunciation and personal safety

Feedback

Most popular sessions:

• Health (registering with a GP and the Dental service)

• London on a budget

• Working during and after your studies

Social Activities During Orientation

Pre-2012: Wednesday Afternoon – Campus Challenge

2012: Wednesday Afternoon –Campus Challenge

Thursday Evening – Bingo

Feedback for Campus Challenge –

“Favourite part of the day as it allowed me to meet new people.”

Feedback for Bingo – “Loved the game/fun way to socialise”

Social Activities During Orientation

Feedback from 2012 said:

“Have more events like the scavenger hunt.”

“Add a social activity on the 3rd night.”

So…

2013: 3 evenings of activities.

•Wednesday - Campus Challenge followed by Union Trip

• Thursday - ISH Welcome Party

• Friday – Self-defence / followed by cookery demo / Bingo

Challenges for the future

• increasing numbers

• avoiding “ghettoisation” of international students (they want to meet UK students!)

2011 Workshop Feedback: “Get Home Students involved in the International Students’ Orientation – we would like to get their perspective too!”

• Late arrivals / non traditional arrivals (eg PhD students, Erasmus)

Support for UK Students?

Student Barometer, 2012

“Several orientation sessions were given to international students in the week prior to the course starting, however none was available for home students”

Workshop Feedback 2012

“Workshops were useful, and would be for British Students”

Suggestions, comments, questions?