Lori Meadows
Welcoming an international student can be a rewarding experience for both parties involved. It is important to remember that international students face the challenge of navigating a new academic environment and adapting to a different culture. To make them feel welcome, it is essential to provide support and resources to help them overcome these challenges and adjust to their new surroundings. This can be achieved through orientation programmes, social events, cultural immersion activities, and practical assistance with essential procedures. Additionally, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere, being respectful of their culture, and treating them as part of the family or community can greatly contribute to a positive and enriching experience for international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Orientation programme | Should extend beyond a single day, acting as a guiding light to help students overcome obstacles |
| Pre-arrival sessions | Assist students in completing essential procedures, such as visas, flights, and accommodation |
| Orientation sessions | Take place shortly after arrival, covering academic, social, cultural, and well-being elements |
| Practical support | Meeting at the airport, ensuring accommodation is ready, providing essentials like adapters, SIM cards, and welcome bags |
| Social and cultural immersion | Plan trips to local areas, teach them about public transport, and showcase iconic locations |
| Visibility | Be present and friendly early on to increase the likelihood of engagement later |
| Communication | Invite students to activities multiple times, understanding cultural differences in communication styles |
| English conversation partner | Offer to help with English skills and provide transport to grocery stores |
| Cultural exchange | Teach them about your culture and invite them to share theirs |
| Structured programme | Organise a rich programme of events to answer questions and build confidence |
| Satisfaction questionnaire | Administer a questionnaire to gain feedback and improve the programme |
| Host family | Provide a welcome sign, snacks, a house tour, and explain household norms and routines |
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What You'll Learn
Orientation programmes
Pre-Arrival Sessions:
Even before students arrive in the host country, orientation can begin. These pre-arrival sessions can assist students in essential procedures such as visa applications, booking flights, and finding accommodation. It is also an opportunity to introduce students to key support staff and provide information about life at the institution and in the host country, helping to alleviate anxiety and concerns. Emails, online meetings, and social media can be utilised for effective engagement during this phase.
In-Person Orientation Day:
Shortly after the students' arrival, an in-person orientation day can be organised, focusing on creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This day should aim to foster connections and relationships among the international students. While it is important to provide useful information, it is also crucial not to overload the students. Subsequent sessions can be organised to gradually cover academic, social, cultural, and well-being elements, preparing them for their educational journey and new life in the host country.
Social and Cultural Immersion:
Ongoing Support:
Orientation should not be limited to a single week or the initial arrival phase. International students may face unique challenges at different points during their academic journey, so ongoing support is crucial. Regular meet-ups, cultural exchange events, and volunteer opportunities can facilitate connections and a sense of belonging. Additionally, practical support such as English conversation partnerships, transportation assistance, and help with furnishing accommodations can make a significant difference in their overall well-being.
Integration with Domestic Students:
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Practical preparations
Before arrival
International students may feel anxious about moving to a new country, so it is important to provide practical support and information before they arrive. This can include helping them with essential procedures such as applying for student visas, booking flights, and finding accommodation. Institutions can also provide information about the local area, culture, and what to expect from life at the university.
Arrival
Meeting international students at the airport is standard practice for most universities. It is important to know the exact arrival time and be prepared to welcome them warmly, even if they arrive at odd hours. A welcome sign with their name on it, a small gift, and a post-flight snack can make a good first impression.
Orientation
Orientation programmes should extend beyond a single day and aim to help students with academic, social, cultural, and wellbeing elements of their new life. These programmes can be tailored to the culture and resources of the institution while helping students navigate common challenges. It is important not to overload students with information during orientation, but to provide ongoing support as they adjust.
Settling in
Give students time to recover from their travels and adjust to their new environment. Offer a house tour and explain how things work, providing written information as well, such as Wi-Fi passwords. Be patient, explain things slowly, and ask if they have questions. Provide a welcome basket with essentials, local food or snacks, maps, and information about the area.
Ongoing support
International students may experience culture shock and confusion around cultural norms, so it is important to provide ongoing support and a listening ear. Help them navigate practical issues like setting up a bank account, and offer English conversation support if needed. Organise social activities and outings to help students get to know the local area and each other.
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Social inclusion
Orientation and Support
A comprehensive orientation programme is essential for international students' transition to a new country. This should include practical support before arrival, such as assistance with visas, travel, and accommodation. Orientation sessions after arrival should cover academic, social, and cultural aspects, providing a warm welcome and essential information. These sessions can be in the form of Zoom meetings, Q&A sessions, or short videos on social media platforms, which can include welcome messages, introductions to the campus, and tips for arrival.
Social Events and Activities
Organising social events, extracurricular activities, and gatherings is vital for bringing international students together with their peers. These events create a sense of community and offer opportunities for students to form friendships. Social events can include dinners, movie nights, festivals, and cultural celebrations, allowing students to share their unique backgrounds and life experiences. Sporting activities, career development sessions, internships, and student leadership positions also foster social inclusion and help students develop essential soft skills.
Cultural Immersion
International students often crave opportunities to explore and understand their host country's culture. Providing cultural immersion experiences, such as trips to local landmarks, shopping centres, and iconic locations, helps students navigate their new environment and feel included in the local culture. These experiences can also include excursions using public transportation, providing a practical understanding of the local transit system.
Communication and Connection
Encouraging open communication and connection between international students and their peers is essential for social inclusion. This can be facilitated through peer-to-peer platforms, such as Unibuddy, where students can connect, share experiences, and support each other. Additionally, basic essentials, such as phone SIM cards, and international stamps can be provided to help students stay connected with their families back home.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering is an excellent way for international students to build a sense of belonging and connect with the local community. Universities can provide volunteer opportunities in various settings, such as retirement villages, national parks, or local libraries. These experiences allow students to contribute to society, develop new skills, and form meaningful connections beyond the campus.
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Cultural exchange
Orientation and Support:
An international student orientation program is essential to help students transition smoothly into their new academic and cultural environment. This should involve more than just a single day of welcome; instead, it should be an ongoing process that provides support and guidance as students navigate common challenges related to academics, social interactions, cultural adjustment, and maintaining their well-being. Orientation programs can include visa assistance, accommodation support, and introductions to key support staff and services.
Immersion and Participation:
Academic and Language Support:
International students often face challenges with language barriers and academic adaptation. Providing academic support, such as language proficiency programs, can help improve their fluency and facilitate better intercultural understanding. Additionally, offering access to academic resources, research opportunities, and international collaborations can enhance their overall academic experience.
Host Families and Community Engagement:
Host families play a crucial role in cultural exchange by welcoming international students into their homes and communities. This allows students to experience everyday life and build connections with local people. Host families can share their traditions, cuisine, and customs, while also learning about the student's culture, fostering a mutual appreciation for diversity.
Social Events and Cross-Cultural Activities:
Organizing social events and activities that bring together international students, domestic students, and the local community can facilitate cultural exchange. This could include international food festivals, fashion shows, or cultural performances. These events create a platform for students to share their traditions and customs, promoting a sense of inclusion and mutual respect.
By embracing these initiatives, educational institutions and host communities can create a welcoming environment that enriches the cultural exchange experience for international students.
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Ongoing support
International students often face challenges when navigating a new academic and cultural environment. To help them overcome these challenges, it is important to provide ongoing support that extends beyond a single orientation day. Here are some ways to offer ongoing support and create a welcoming environment for international students:
Orientation and Beyond
While orientation is a crucial aspect of welcoming international students, it should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. The orientation programme should act as a guiding framework, providing practical support and information, and helping students overcome obstacles in their new environment. This includes academic, social, cultural, and wellbeing elements to facilitate their adjustment.
Information and Resources
Provide detailed and specialised information in advance, in a variety of formats such as brochures, webpages, apps, and podcasts in multiple languages. This information should cover topics like accommodation, medical insurance, visa requirements, budgeting, part-time work, and cultural norms. Ensure that international students are aware of the support network they can rely on throughout their time at the institution.
Social and Cultural Immersion
Plan ongoing social and cultural immersion programmes, including trips to local shopping centres, excursions to iconic locations, and experiences showcasing local culture and customs. These activities provide opportunities for international students to explore the area, make new friends, and feel welcomed into the community.
Peer Support and Mentorship
Encourage interactions between international students and local students, even before their arrival, through email, apps, video calls, or social media. Peer support is essential, as it helps international students navigate their new environment and make social connections. Additionally, consider implementing a mentorship programme or buddy system, where experienced students or local volunteers offer guidance and support to international students.
Practical Assistance
Offer practical assistance with transportation, such as organising weekly rides to grocery stores or providing information on public transport systems. Help students navigate essential tasks like opening a bank account, setting up IT accounts, and accessing campus facilities. If students have brought their families, organise social events or gatherings to help them settle in and meet others.
Cultural Exchange and Understanding
Promote cultural exchange by inviting international students to share their traditions, customs, and national holidays. Host events that introduce students to local culture, sports, and holidays, fostering a mutual understanding and appreciation of diverse backgrounds.
By implementing these ongoing support strategies, institutions can create a supportive, inclusive, and welcoming environment for international students, helping them thrive academically and socially in their new country.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some ways to welcome an international student:
- Orientation programmes that extend beyond a single day and help students overcome common challenges in academics, social interactions, adapting to a new culture and maintaining their well-being.
- Help with essential procedures such as applying for visas, booking flights and finding accommodation.
- Meet them at the airport and offer essentials like adapters, chargers, SIM cards, and a few days' worth of groceries.
- Provide a welcome pack with a basic toiletry kit, snacks, maps, drink bottles, vouchers for food and information about the local area.
- Organise a welcome party so they can meet new people in a relaxed setting.
Here are some ways to welcome an international student to your educational institution:
- Invite them to join activities and events, perhaps multiple times, as in some cultures it is common to refuse an invitation initially.
- Offer to be an English conversation partner and help them improve their language skills.
- Organise trips to local shopping centres, excursions to iconic locations, and showcase what makes your area special.
- Help them navigate the campus and introduce them to key support staff.
- Provide information about life at the institution and in the host country.
Here are some ways to welcome an international student into your home:
- Treat them as part of the family and fully integrate them into your life by inviting them to family activities.
- Give them a house tour and explain how to use appliances. Provide written information such as Wi-Fi passwords.
- Be patient, gentle, and offer reassurance as they adjust to a new environment and potential culture shock.
- Create a small gift basket with things they might need, local snacks, a welcome note, and information about local attractions.
- Put the flag of their country outside your house and include them in everything.
