welcome! becky mathers study abroad administrator i work in the international exchanges unit within...
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome!
Becky MathersStudy Abroad Administrator
I work in the International Exchanges Unit within Student Support & Guidance in the Student Services Department
Our team: Head of International Exchanges Unit, Study Abroad Administrator, Erasmus Administrator, IEU Assistant
Snapshot of The University of Sheffield
Student Numbers
Total Number of students 24,000
Total number of International students
5,000
Incoming Study Abroad 180-200
Outgoing Study Abroad 100
Incoming Erasmus 500
Outgoing Erasmus 400
Other Programmes (not our office)
300
Traditional, non campus, Redbrick university, established in 1905
A little bit about me…
Valerie HorwoodStudy Abroad and Exchange Coordinator
Within the Partnership Division
The team: Me!
Snapshot of The University of Greenwich
Student Numbers
Total Number of students 22,000
Total number of International students
4,000
Incoming Study Abroad 50 (two island programmes)
Outgoing Study Abroad 0
Incoming Erasmus 80
Outgoing Erasmus 20
Other Programmes (not our office)
20
Gained university status in 1992
A little bit about me…
Emily WescottAcademic Officer for Arcadia University
College of Global StudiesLondon Study CentreArcadia University Glenside staff, Regional
Assistant Directors, in country centresResident and Academic Director, Associate
Director, Academic, Housing and Student Services Officer and Office Coordinator
Arcadia University, CGSFounded in 1853, in the state of Pennsylvania CGS is one of the three collegesSixty years involvement in international
educationOffer over 100 study abroad opportunities in 15
countries to both undergraduates and post-graduates,
Programmes include direct entry programmes, hybrid programmes, academic degree programmes, certificate programmes, internships, and exchanges.
The Ice Breaker…Task: In pairs find out as much as you can fromyour colleague: name, university they work at,
role, howlong in this job, what they would like to take
away today
Time: 5 Minutes in total
Feedback on your new colleague to the group (15 minutes)
Background to Study Abroad• The concept of studying in a foreign
country• A very well developed “industry” in the
US, established to ensure maximum number of US university students study abroad
What do we mean by Study Abroad/Mobility?
Shout out the differentways you know….
What do we mean by Study Abroad/Mobility?
To whom are we responsible?Senior Management Team/our university
•Income generation•Internationalisation•Profile and reputation•Opportunities for home students to go on exchange
Overseas Partners
•Our fast and efficient processes and services – makes their job easier
•Good pastoral care for students – they like us & tell their students
•Generates reciprocity •Can lead to opportunity for diversification of partnership - fee paying students
Study Abroad student lifecycleExercise: Map it out within 15 minutesFrom 1st thinking of going abroad to coming
homeWhy, how, who, where
Feedback– 15 minutes
Study Abroad student lifecycleStage 1: Recognising the need to go abroadParents, friends, siblings, professors, home universitywebsite, study abroad fair, ancestry
Stage 2: Information SearchInternet including industry specific websites (eggoabroad.com, diversityabroad.com, studyabroad.com),host university websites, friends/siblings/classmates
whohave studied abroad (possibly most credible source),
parents,home university (study abroad office, professors), 3rd
partyproviders
Study Abroad student lifecycleStage 3: Evaluation of alternative programmesDoes the programme meet needs/expectationsStage 4: Purchase decisionInfluenced by many factors including whether there isan agreement between the home and host university tofacilitate credit transfer, ease of application, howindependent they are, cost (including financial aidtransfer), special needs
Study Abroad student lifecycleStage 5: Post purchase evaluationTakes place before arrival – students need to beconstantly reassured they have made the correctdecisionStage 6: Arrival and semesterFinding routine, settling in to new environmentStage 7: Departure/AlumniRe-entry orientation, credit transfer, feedback,programme advocate
Tools of the trade
Regardless of numbers of students, you need
tools and an efficient use of time to maximise the
student experience
Tools can include people and also systems & processes.
Enquiry GenerationOnline presence – e.g. Go-abroad, Hobsons,
Petersons, websites, SEO, social networking etc
International visits/study abroad fairs
Partner Universities
Marketing materials eg: brochures
Site visits
Enquiry HandlingE-mail enquiry or online form for more efficient
data capture?CRM?Study abroad specific system/university wideTurnaround timesMeet student customer service expectations
Other tools of the trade…Systems and processes
How do you handle Application incl. visa/Registration
Paper or paperless? Admissions decisions; Faculty or in house?University system or stand alone
database/spreadsheets? Existing system or is there room to change?
Do you want to change?Advantages and disadvantages of the two
Student Support Mechanisms
Pre arrival information – brochures, web, fact sheets
Social Networking – E.g. Facebook
Buddies/mentoring – already existing ? Can you tap in?
Welcome & orientation programme
Social programme
Student Union
Stakeholders (People!)These are people who either have a direct impact on
yourrole or who can be effected by how you carry out
yourrole within your University. They can also impact on whether you meet your responsibilities.
In your group list key stakeholders &
reasons why they are important (5 minutes) and then feedback.
Possible Stakeholders
Establishing and maintaining overseas partnershipsWhy you need these & what you can achieve:
Facilitate internationalisation strategy Recruitment channelHigher University agenda:Raise University profileGenerate incomeOutward mobility options for your home studentsJoint Research projectsStaff mobility – academic and administrative
How you can set up new partnerships
Receive approaches from them
“Cold calling” – targeting your needs
NAFSA and other conferences – networking and formal meetings to explore opportunities
Your Faculty contacts – pick their brains/address book!
Study Abroad Fairs/Talks/1:1 Meetings
Close personal network of colleagues around the world – many people move around universities
MaintainingHaving a partnership check list
Review system of partnership
Not just about quality of the University, it’s about shared interests
Monitoring student feedback
Barriers to effective stakeholder relationships
In your group brainstorm the barriers and
challenges which can hinder or stop thedevelopment of your Programmes
10 minutes and 10 minutes to feedback &
summaries
External Support
BUTEXAASAPNAFSAUCOSAOverseas ColleaguesUK ColleaguesBritish CouncilIIE Open Doors report
Summary
The Study Abroad and exchange office within a university is an organisation within an organisation – e.g. we do; marketing, admissions, pre arrival, student support, housing, external relations, finance, visa preparation etc
What will you take away from today?
Any questions?
About anything at all?
Our contact details
Becky Mathers – [email protected]
Valerie Horwood – [email protected]
Emily Wescott- [email protected]
That’s all folks!
Enjoy the conference!