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www.bournemouth.ac.uk
SRHE seminarDeveloping the most employable global citizens:
How can we encourage and celebrate outward mobility and working abroad?
13th/11/2015
------The Placement Experience of International StudentsThe Placement Experience of International Students
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Marcellus Mbah and Kelly Goodwin
www.bournemouth.ac.uk
Why international student placement?
UK losing competitive edge for new international students
Source: The British Council www.britishcouncil.org/education/ihe/news/uk-losing-competitive-edge-new-international-students
•Not only does the presence of international students internationalise the academic environment and campus life, they also contribute more than £7 billion to the UK economy (Universities UK, 2014)
•To many international students, the expected return to investment in higher education is employment upon completion of studies
•Much of what we already know about student employability and work placement is centred on the UK domicile learner in spite of the growing importance of the international education industry
•Several international students will need to take on a work placement as they aspire to secure work in the global economy.
•In order to achieve this effectively and sustainably, there is a need to explore the placement experience of international students.
www.bournemouth.ac.uk
Project Methodology
Case Study Faculty of Management
Academic year 2014 – 2015
CEL Funded ProjectCo-creation
Survey:62% completion rate
Focus group discussion
Survey questions:
-Gender, age, Nationality - Prior expectations -Programme of study - Sources and types of support-Was the placement compulsory? - Placement experiences-Placement duration - Challenges faced -Host organisation and location - Recommendations for improvement
www.bournemouth.ac.uk
Key Project Findings
3. Lack of understanding about the placement
1. Excellent support for CV and cover letter writing
2. VISA requirements / restrictions
4. Culture differences
5. The need for work experience in order to secure a placement
6. Building and exhibiting self-confidence
7. Placement providers who consider employing a placement student post graduation provide a better placement experience
8. A loss of academic writing ability upon their return from placement
www.bournemouth.ac.uk
Towards a support framework
Enhanced placement
experience for international
students
Opportunities for prior work
experience
Culture adaptation
Self confidence
Prior information on placement and
demands
Industry preparation and
readiness for placement
Academic preparation
Tem
p
jobs
on a
nd
off
ca
mpus
Minimise mono ethnic contacts, promote broader engagementsSelf
confidenc
etalks and
workshop
s Info
rmat
ion
on
man
dat
ory
pla
cem
ent
and
visa
dem
ands
Dissem
inating
the benefits of
placement
to businesses …
Linking the
curriculum
with industry
