UKCISA blog
Finally coming up for air after the UKCISA conference 2012, out of many interesting sessions, the one which has made most impact was Jonathan Rees and Gail Horton's thought-provoking session Who then really is an international student?
As they demonstrated, our "home" student population is increasingly diverse in terms of background in terms of residence, schooling, parental nationality, etc. Similarly, many "international" students have some degree of previous experience of living or studying in the UK. The categories are a mere administrative convenience relating to fee status or immigration status, but may not reflect students' own sense of identity, or give any meaningful clue as to whether they have any particular support needs relating language, cultural adaptation or visa formalities. Worse still, does such labelling further inhibit integration, and encourage "othering" and an "us/them" mentality on campus - not only among students, but also between students and staff?
So what are the implications of this? What would it look like if we dropped the "international" label? Should "International Offices" be replaced by "Mobility and Visa Services Offices"? One orientation programme for all, with pick and mix sessions for those who need on visas, cultural adaptation etc? (We know that's already happening in increasing numbers of institutions). Should Language Support be more fully integrated with Study Support? No doubt there are countless other examples where we could question our current labelling and categorising.
So when I find myself drawn to the idea of "No more international students", it's not in the sense that some of the more xenophobic of our press and public might mean. Instead lets just drop the labels: a student is a student is a student. Let's find more inclusive ways of supporting diversity.
I agree with the approach of "a student is a student is a student". Every student has a unique personality and no one is the same. However it still makes me think how easy it will be to drop the label of "International Student"?
ReplyDelete"As they demonstrated, our "home" student population is increasingly diverse in terms of background in terms of residence, schooling, parental nationality, etc" - This is very true but in my opinion children from diverse backgrounds born in the UK still get the advantage to adapt themselves to the 'home' culture at a very young age and feel confident in a group of so called 'home students', having mingled with them from their childhood.
"Similarly, many "international" students have some degree of previous experience of living or studying in the UK" - This doesn't necessarily mean that they have fully adapted to the environment they are in. Students from Middle East or Far East would necessarily have gained anything from their previous experience of living or studying in the UK - mainly because of their cultural adaptation and reserved nature.
If we are saying that in general every student is ‘global’ and ‘international’ then there shouldn’t be need of any sort of integration. What is it that will be integrated? The question of integration arises because of the identification of a ‘home’ culture. It is very quick to say that everyone has had some sort of international exposure.
I feel as much as the label of the "international student" is used for administrative convenience, it also reflects on the extra support needed by those students. In the end of the day, it is very sensible to say that a student is a student but in regards to student integration 'home students' feel no pressure to mix up with 'international students' as they are in their own environment and culture. Thos e of haven’t had any exposure to a global adaptation do not feel very connected with everyone. The full burden generally shifts toward 'international students' which means that they need to go against their personal adaptation which I feel not many succeed in.
It is very important to bear in mind that International student are in an alien environment where they are not sure about their language ability, cultural norms and on top of that deal with complexity of managing their immigration status. With all this and management of their academic expectation, 'international Students' have a lot to take care of. This takes me back to my original question on how easy it will be to drop the label of "International Student".
In my opinion, more inclusive ways of supportive diversity is acceptance - acceptance by staff that every student is an individual and equal treatment for all. No doubt some will need extra attention but that should be used in 'delivery' not in 'approach'.