International Student Advisory Service International Departures: Preparing Global Students to be...

International Student Advisory Service

International Departures: Preparing Global Students to be Global Graduates

Euan FergussonHead of International Student Support

Ali McDonaldAssistant Head of International Student Support

International Student Advisory Service

Content

Background

Current situation

Summary of research

Ideas

Proposal

Conclusions

International Student Advisory Service

International Student Advisory Service (ISAS)

Assisting International Students through their transitions at Edinburgh…

Transition INTO the University

Providing immigration advice to all non-UK students, assisting with their study visa applications

International Student Advisory Service

ISAS…

Guiding our new international students through their transition from their home country to their new life in Edinburgh Blogs Arrival Guide Airport Welcome / International Arrival

Lounge / International Day

International Student Advisory Service

Transition THROUGH their programme Provide on-course immigration advice

Visa checking service Drop-in clinics

Offering an informed and supportive advice and referral service on welfare issues to students and their academic contacts

Providing further opportunities for social and cultural integration and engagement through student led events and activities

International Student Advisory Service

Transition OUT of University

Currently no ‘outduction’

How do we support our students to prepare for their exit from the University and into whatever plans they have beyond?

International Student Advisory Service

Preparing Global Students to be Global Graduates A conference that will provide an opportunity

for both practical guidance and support as graduates enter the workforce or further study, but also a time for reflection and celebration of their time and achievements as they m.ove on from the university

International Student Advisory Service

Induction… to Outduction

• IO collaborates in gateway induction events: International Day, PGT orientation day, PGR orientation.

• Large scale, general overviews: practical matters etc.

• International induction progresses from practical overview into localised inductions.

International Student Advisory Service

Induction

University Gateway Overview

CollegeSpecificSecond

level induction

School / Subject

inductionsDetailed

School / Program

e

International Student Advisory Service

What do we mean by “outduction”?

• “Outduction” originally used to express final year experiences leading to the conclusion of studies (Layer 2007).

• Need for a ‘reverse model of induction’ – from the specific to the general?

• Process or an end in itself?• Expectations vs Requirements• Timing

International Student Advisory Service

Higher Education Academy, 2007

International Student Advisory Service

What is there to reflect on?

• Contacts / Network

• Experiences to draw upon

• Aspects of a person’s time that has defined their experience

• Personal development

• Resilience

• Qualifcations• New skills…

Achievements Challenges

MemoriesHighlights

International Student Advisory Service

What dimensions are there to an international student’s outduction?

Careers / “Employability”

Understanding the qualification

Academic Advice

Continuing links with

institution / Alumni

Practical and ‘life’ transition

International Student Advisory Service

Outduction activities

10 minute group:

a) Considering your own area, what outduction activity currently exists: that is, activity which encourages students to reflect on or actively prepare for for the end of their programme, currently exists?

b) Considering your own experience/perception, what do you think international students will find useful?

International Student Advisory Service

Feedback

International Student Advisory Service

Next steps

Focus groups with students

Designing of a replicable gateway event

Linking to current outduction activities

Redesigning of events to make them smaller scale and interspersed throughout the year

International Student Advisory Service

Thank you…

Stay in contact:

Twitter: @intoffice_uoe

Facebook:

Email: isas@ed.ac.uk