Transcript Session 2 Orientation for International Students 2013

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?