"delivering the international student experience" joyce wason jim anderson school of...
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"Delivering the international student experience"
Joyce Wason
Jim Anderson
School of Veterinary Medicine
Big Vet Wee vet
Students who have travel abroad for their education are either:
•Adventurous
•Travel as a result of their educational needs
Different and shared issues
However, want to avoid being a fish out of water
•Perception and impact on studies
• School of Veterinary Medicine–626 professional students
• 250 international
• 205 North America
–100 BSc students• 3 international students
AVMA Approval in 2000
• North America is largest overseas applicant pool
• Approximately 45 students from North America enter the Vet Programme each year
• Others overseas approximately 20 each year
• 72 Home/EU Students
AVMA Approval in 2000
• Support for recruitment team in relation North America• Students recruited
• Queries from potential students
• Many queries best answered by students
• Outcome– Developed social bond with new
students
– OUT OF WHICH GREW
– Meet and greet at airport
– Invitations to social events
– Support with non-university administrative issues
Driven by recognising and supporting student requirements
What happened next
• 2006 big Vet Wee Vet was born
• Suggestion came from 2 US students with experience of buddy scheme
• Focused on US students
• 2008 extended to all arriving students
Difficulties International Students Experience
• Orientation on arrival – getting around
• Cultural Differences
• Electrical/Technological Differences
• Cuisine
• Scottish Dialect
• Opening Bank Accounts
• Shopping for essentials
• Advice on books and study materials
Difficulties encountered
As part of GUVMA–3 student organisers–100 Big Vets (years 2-5)–Majority of work following exams (July August)–Matching programme
–3-4 Wee Vets per Big vet–Big Vet uniform for 1st two weeks
• Red sweat shirt–Facebook page
Organisation
All arriving students
–Access to Moodle site before arrival
–Pre-arrival email contact made
–Offer of meet and greet
–Social activities
–Recycled home goods from departing students
How it works now
Big Vet Wee vet
Summary
Empowers students
Provides continuity of advice
Once established – self sustaining
Reduces staff burden providing basic advice/information
Feed back to RIO 2010 from British Council
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
Questions