Lana Oconnell
Greeting international students in a warm and thoughtful way is an important part of making them feel welcome and valued. With nearly 800,000 international students arriving in the US each year, universities and schools must cater to their needs and ensure a positive experience. This can be achieved through a variety of methods, from providing detailed information in advance to creating tailored welcome programs that showcase the local culture. Being mindful of cultural differences in greetings and demonstrating an interest in the student's home country are also important aspects of making international students feel comfortable and respected. This article will explore a range of ways to greet international students and make their transition smoother.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Provide detailed information in advance | Brochures, webpages, apps, and podcasts in a variety of languages |
| Meet them at the airport | Standard practice for most universities |
| Ensure their room is ready | Provide linen, basic essentials, and welcome bags |
| Offer opportunities to showcase the local culture | Plan trips to local shopping centres, excursions to iconic locations, and cultural events |
| Provide avenues for involvement | Social events, extracurricular activities, sporting activities, career development sessions, networking opportunities, internships, and volunteering |
| Help them navigate the area | Show them around, guide them when exploring, and ask them about their day |
| Be visible and friendly early on | Students will be more likely to seek you out later in the semester |
| Invite them to activities | Be aware of cultural differences in communication styles |
| Offer to be an English conversation partner | Set a structured time to help with English skills |
| Help them get to know the city | Organise rides to grocery stores, start a coffee morning for spouses, and set up events downtown |
| Learn about their culture and share yours | Hold themed events around holidays and invite students to share about their national holidays and sports |
| Display welcome signs in multiple languages | Hang flags from their home nations and carry out customs from those locations |
| Encourage student-led clubs | Teach about the culture, language, and politics of international students' home countries |
| Implement a buddy system | Pair international students with local students or other experienced international students |
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What You'll Learn
Provide detailed information in advance
Greeting international students is an exciting opportunity for both parties involved. It is important to provide detailed information in advance to ensure that the student feels welcome, safe, and happy. Here are some ways to achieve that:
Firstly, it is essential to recognize that international students are embarking on a significant life change. They are packing their lives to study abroad for an extended period, so providing as much information as possible in advance is crucial. This includes practical details about the university or school, such as brochures, webpages, apps, or podcasts in various languages. Additionally, offering information about the local area, transportation, and cultural norms can help alleviate worries and ensure a smooth transition to their new environment.
Secondly, creating a comprehensive welcome package can make international students feel valued and prepared. This package could include essential items such as a water bottle, school merchandise, snacks, and a journal or notebook. It could also contain practical items like a phone SIM card, adapter or charger, and a basket of toiletries. Including a personalized welcome letter or a small gift that represents the local culture can also be a thoughtful touch.
Moreover, providing a detailed schedule of events or activities for the student's first few days or weeks can be beneficial. This schedule could include orientation sessions, social events, extracurricular activities, or cultural experiences. By offering a clear structure, students will feel more involved and better understand what to expect during their initial days on campus or in their new school.
In addition to the above, it is worth considering the student's living situation and providing relevant information. If they are living on campus or in a residence, ensure they have all the necessary details about their accommodation, including linen and furniture arrangements. If they are staying with a host family, encourage open communication and provide information about the family, their home, and any expectations or house rules.
Lastly, it is helpful to provide contact information for key people or departments that can support the student during their time abroad. This could include staff members from the International Student Office, campus coordinators, or even fellow students who can act as buddies or mentors. Providing emergency contact numbers and important phone numbers for local services or amenities can also make students feel more secure and connected.
By providing detailed information in advance, international students will feel more prepared, welcomed, and excited about their new adventure. It empowers them with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate their new environment and sets a positive tone for their entire experience abroad.
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Offer welcome gifts and essentials
Greeting international students with welcome gifts and essentials is a thoughtful way to make them feel comfortable and excited about their new environment. Here are some ideas to consider:
Practical Essentials:
- Provide them with a welcome bag or basket filled with practical essentials. This could include a basic toiletry kit, snacks, maps, a drink bottle, vouchers for food outlets, and information about the local area.
- Offer them a phone SIM card and an international power adapter to ensure they can stay connected and charge their electronic devices.
- If they will be residing with a host family, ensure their room is ready and comfortable. Provide linen, and basic amenities such as towels, soap, and shampoo.
- Help them set up their devices on the Wi-Fi network and show them how to make international calls to stay in touch with their loved ones back home.
Gifts for a Smooth Transition:
- Include a list of important contacts, such as family members' and neighbours' names and phone numbers, as well as emergency contacts.
- Provide a list of addresses and phone numbers for essential places such as schools, libraries, medical facilities, and local stores.
- Offer a lightweight power bank to ensure their mobile devices stay charged, especially when they are out exploring.
- Gift them a durable and easy-to-carry set of luggage, along with fun and distinctive luggage tags.
- A passport holder made of durable material, such as leather or quality plastic, will help them keep their passport secure along with other essential documents.
Gifts for Immersion and Comfort:
- Include a mix of local treats and snacks in their welcome basket to introduce them to the local culture and cuisine.
- Provide them with a journal or notebook to document their experiences and a camera to capture memorable moments during their stay.
- If they are sports enthusiasts, consider gifting sports memorabilia or merchandise related to local sports teams.
- Offer them a school T-shirt or merchandise with the school logo to help them feel a sense of belonging.
- Create a wish list of places they want to visit and experiences they want to have during their stay, and try to make those wishes come true.
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Showcase local culture and customs
International students often crave the opportunity to experience life in the country they are visiting. Therefore, it is important to showcase what makes your home special. Plan a tailored welcome or ongoing social or cultural immersion programme. This could include trips to local shopping centres, excursions to must-see iconic locations, and opportunities to travel via public transport. For example, a trip to the Queen Victoria Market, an Australian Rules Football match, or an Australian reptile show could be a great way to welcome international students to Melbourne.
Additionally, cooking and sharing meals is a great way to showcase local culture and customs. Take the time to cook meals that are important to your region, country, and family history. Ask international students to make some of their favourite meals from back home and share the significance of certain foods to their culture.
It is also beneficial to organise cultural events or workshops, which can help international students learn about local culture and make new friends. For example, if you are in Italy, you might want to showcase the country's rich history, art, and architecture. You could also teach students about Italian cuisine and customs, such as the importance of family and community.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that international students may have different expectations due to cultural and family differences. They may experience culture shock and confusion around cultural norms, so it is crucial to be empathetic and gentle when correcting any mistakes they may make. Demonstrate how to do certain chores and involve them in creating household rules. Keep the lines of communication open and show a genuine interest in their local customs and traditions.
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Encourage active participation
Greeting international students with a warm welcome is a great first step in encouraging active participation. Displaying welcome signs in multiple languages, hanging flags from their home nations, and carrying out customs from their countries are great ways to make international students feel valued. It is also important to be mindful of cultural differences and the fact that international students may not be accustomed to the local culture and habits. For example, drinking alcohol and going out at night may not be something they are used to.
To encourage active participation, it is important to establish a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental classroom environment. Students are more inclined to participate when they feel comfortable and know that their opinions will be respected. Teachers should encourage students to ask questions when they do not understand a concept and to relate concepts to situations they are familiar with. Group discussions and projects can be made less intimidating by keeping groups small and diverse, fostering a sense of community, and encouraging domestic students to provide support to international students.
To further motivate students to actively participate, teachers can create opportunities for collaboration and reflection, use a variety of engaging and interactive teaching methods, and provide positive reinforcement. Students can also be invited to share their culture through dinners, foreign movies, and student-led clubs that teach others about their home countries. This can include cooking classes, learning popular songs, and sharing historical snapshots.
Additionally, it is beneficial to provide multiple avenues for international students to get involved outside of the classroom. This could include social events, extracurricular activities, sporting activities, career development sessions, networking opportunities, internships, and volunteering initiatives. By offering a range of options, international students can find areas that interest them and feel encouraged to participate actively in their new community.
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Be friendly and respectful
Greeting international students with friendliness and respect is paramount to making them feel welcome and comfortable in their new environment. Here are some ways to achieve this:
Be Approachable and Welcoming
From the very beginning, it is important to be visible and recognised as a friendly presence. This will make it more likely that students will seek you out later on when they are ready to engage in activities. A smile and a warm greeting when meeting for the first time can go a long way. It is also beneficial to be open, warm, and helpful from the start, including students in everything and making them feel like part of the family.
Embrace Cultural Differences
Be respectful of cultural differences in greetings and interactions. For example, in some cultures, it is customary to refuse an offer at first, so persisting and showing you care can be important. In other cases, students may greet with a kiss on the cheek, or they may be more reserved and uncomfortable with physical contact. Being aware of these differences and embracing them will make students feel respected and valued.
Offer Practical Help
Offering practical assistance is a great way to show friendliness and respect. This could include meeting students at the airport, helping with orientation, providing essential items like adapters, phone SIM cards, or welcome bags with basic toiletries, snacks, and information about the local area. You could also offer to be an English conversation partner, help with transportation to stores, or provide furniture for their living space.
Encourage Social Inclusion
Actively encourage international students to get involved in social activities, sporting events, and cultural exchanges. Invite them to share their culture through dinners, movie nights, or cultural clubs, and also learn about their national holidays and favourite sports. Creating a buddy system can also help, pairing international students with local students or other experienced international students, fostering a sense of community and support.
Provide Detailed Information
Provide comprehensive and specialised information in advance, in various formats such as brochures, webpages, apps, or podcasts in multiple languages. This can include practical information about the area, transportation, and essential services, as well as cultural information about holidays, traditions, and significant figures.
By following these suggestions, you can create a friendly and respectful environment that makes international students feel welcomed, valued, and included.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to make international students feel welcome and comfortable in their new environment. Here are some suggestions:
- Display welcome signs in multiple languages on the day of their arrival.
- Meet them at the airport and help them with their luggage.
- Offer them essential items such as adapters, phone SIM cards, and basic toiletries.
- Provide detailed information in advance, such as brochures, webpages, or apps in multiple languages.
- Create a buddy system to pair international students with local students or other experienced international students.
It is important to provide opportunities for international students to get involved and actively participate in campus life. Here are some suggestions:
- Organise social events, extracurricular activities, and sporting activities.
- Invite them to cultural events and encourage them to share their own culture.
- Help them navigate the local area and explore public transport.
- Provide opportunities for career development, networking, and internships.
It is important to be aware of cultural differences and demonstrate respect for their culture. Here are some suggestions:
- Research and understand common greetings and customs from their home countries.
- Be mindful of personal space and physical greetings, such as hugs or kisses on the cheek.
- Communicate effectively and be aware of non-verbal cues and cultural differences in direct or indirect communication.
- Be open-minded and curious about their culture, and share your own cultural norms.
It is important to provide practical support and resources to international students. Here are some suggestions:
- Help them with orientation and provide a tour of the campus and local area.
- Offer English conversation practice and support with language skills.
- Provide transportation to grocery stores or other necessary locations.
- Assist with furniture or other necessary items for their living space.
