"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