Universities' Support For International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

International students often face challenges when adjusting to a new country, culture, and education system. Universities play a crucial role in supporting these students and helping them feel welcomed and integrated into the campus community. From providing practical assistance with visas, accommodation, and academic counselling to fostering cultural exchange and social connections, universities can implement various measures to enhance the international student experience. This paragraph will explore some of the ways in which universities can help international students navigate their new environment and succeed in their academic endeavours.

Orientation programs

Pre-Arrival Support:

Before international students arrive on campus, universities can implement a mentorship or "buddy" program that connects incoming students with current international students from the same country. This way, new students can seek guidance and learn about their new country, lifestyle, accommodation, and any other concerns they may have. Additionally, universities can offer a pre-arrival course with essential information, such as a checklist of things to do before arrival, cultural insights, and practical tips for settling in.

Arrival and Transportation:

Universities can arrange airport pickups for international students, ensuring a smooth arrival experience. It is also beneficial to invite international students to arrive a few days before the rest of the student body to give them time to settle in and explore the campus and local area.

Practical Information Sessions:

Campus and Community Tours:

To help international students familiarize themselves with their new surroundings, universities can organize guided tours of the campus and the local community. This can include visits to nearby attractions, introducing students to local culture and amenities.

Social Events and Activities:

Social events and activities are an integral part of orientation programs, helping international students connect with their peers. These events can range from casual coffee chats and film evenings to more active pursuits like football tournaments and team races around campus. Social activities facilitate the formation of friendships and provide a supportive network for students during their initial days on campus.

Introductory Lectures and Talks:

Family Involvement:

In some cases, universities may also involve the family members of international students in orientation activities. For example, at Singapore Management University, family members can participate in campus tours and mock lectures, giving them a glimpse into the student experience and providing reassurance.

Ongoing Support:

While orientation programs are crucial for the initial transition, it is essential to recognize that international students may need ongoing support throughout their time at the university. Universities should ensure that there is a dedicated team or department, such as international student advisers, who are easily accessible and equipped to assist with various challenges, including homesickness, culture shock, language difficulties, and academic adjustments.

Pre-arrival support

International students often experience anxiety and uncertainty before arriving at university, especially as they have to adjust to a whole new country. Universities can help to ease this transition by providing pre-arrival support.

One way to do this is by implementing a "buddy system", where current international students are matched with incoming students from the same country, if possible. This way, new students can ask questions about lifestyle, accommodation, and other aspects of life at university and in the new country, from a student perspective.

Universities can also offer pre-arrival courses, which can include information on what documents to bring to the airport, finding accommodation, preparing finances, and other resources to help students prepare. These courses can also cover topics such as cultural norms and expectations in the host country, to help students feel more comfortable and reduce culture shock.

Additionally, universities can provide practical support by offering advice on packing, visa requirements, and other administrative tasks. They can also facilitate introductions to key support staff and provide opportunities for new students to connect with each other and current students through online meetings, social media groups, and pre-departure webinars.

By offering these types of pre-arrival support, universities can help to reduce the anxiety and uncertainty that international students may feel and set them up for a smoother transition to their new life.

Social connections

Universities can play a crucial role in facilitating social connections for international students by creating opportunities for them to meet and connect with their peers in an informal setting. Here are some ways universities can help international students develop social connections:

• Organising "coffee chats" and field trips: Informal gatherings like coffee chats or field trips to local attractions can provide a relaxed environment for international students to interact with their peers and make new friends.
• Implementing a "buddy system": Matching current international students with new international students from the same country can help ease the transition. This allows new students to seek guidance and build connections from the moment they arrive.
• Offering pre-arrival support: Providing support and resources before international students arrive on campus can help reduce anxiety and facilitate a smoother transition. This can include virtual meetings, orientation sessions, and cultural introduction videos.
• Creating social spaces: Universities can designate physical or virtual spaces for international and domestic students to interact and engage in cultural exchanges. These spaces can foster mutual understanding, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.
• Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities: Joining campus organisations, cultural groups, or academic clubs can provide international students with opportunities to connect with students who share similar interests.
• Promoting an open and inclusive campus culture: Universities should embrace cultural diversity and encourage international students to share their unique backgrounds and perspectives. This can be achieved through cross-cultural events, such as "Story Circles," where students learn about each other's experiences and traditions.
• Facilitating community engagement: Connecting international students with local communities, families, organisations, and projects can help them build meaningful connections beyond the campus and enhance their sense of belonging in their new home.

Staff training

Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

Universities should provide training to staff on cultural awareness and sensitivity. This includes educating staff about different cultural norms, values, and assumptions about education and learning. By understanding potential cultural differences, staff can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for international students. For example, at Warwick University, staff training focuses on being observant and aware of preferences for turn-taking, styles of speaking, and different assumptions about the role of teachers and students.

Diversity and Inclusive Practices

Teachers and staff should receive training on diversity and inclusive practices to avoid cultural bias, whether conscious or unconscious. This training helps them understand the challenges faced by international students in adapting to a new education system, including different teaching styles, language barriers, and cultural adjustments.

Pre-Arrival Support

Staff can play a crucial role in providing pre-arrival support to international students. This includes offering webinars or online courses covering topics such as visas, culture, accommodation, and other practical aspects of living in the host country. Additionally, staff can facilitate mentorship programs or "buddy schemes" that match current international students with incoming students, allowing them to seek advice and gain a student perspective on various aspects of university life.

Orientation and On-Campus Support

Universities should train their staff to assist international students during orientation week and throughout their time on campus. This includes providing practical support and information, helping students navigate administrative processes, and fostering social connections. Staff should be equipped to address common challenges faced by international students, such as homesickness, culture shock, language difficulties, and understanding academic or grading systems.

Post-Graduation Support

Universities can also train their staff to provide support to international students even after they have graduated. This may include career guidance and resources to help them transition smoothly into the working world, especially if they choose to remain in the host country.

By investing in staff training and development, universities can ensure that their staff are well-equipped to support international students throughout their academic journey and beyond. This will contribute to a more positive and inclusive experience for international students, helping them feel welcomed and valued members of the university community.

Post-graduation support

The transition from university to work can be challenging for international students, especially those who choose to remain in the host country to work. To help ease this transition, universities could offer support to students for up to three years post-graduation. This could include career support, such as helping students find jobs or providing resources and information on employment in the host country.

Additionally, universities can provide ongoing practical support and information to international students after they graduate. This could include advice on immigration, housing, insurance, and other administrative and academic requirements. For example, the University at Albany's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides resources and information to current international students on various topics, including immigration, life in the United States, academic requirements, employment, and insurance.

To foster a sense of community and connection, universities can also create alumni networks or mentorship programs specifically for international students. These networks can provide ongoing support and help international graduates feel more connected to their host country and the university.

Furthermore, universities can offer re-entry support for international students returning to their home countries. This could include workshops or resources on reverse culture shock, readjusting to the home country, and translating their international degree and experiences for the job market back home.

By providing post-graduation support, universities can ensure that international students feel prepared and supported as they transition into the next phase of their lives, whether they choose to stay in the host country or return home.

Frequently asked questions