A Little Rapport Goes A Long Way

Support and Engagement for International Students at

CQUniversity

Shazhi Yaghi Student Services Coordinator CQUniversity Sydney Campus

Sushi

Saji

Sha-shee

Jesse

Sausage

Dai Lo

Princess Jasmine

Shazhi

Overview

Its About The 3 R’s

1. Record – Pre Enrolment

2. Rapport – Post Enrolment

3. Recognition – Academic Journey

Overview

“What we as a sector produce at the end of a

student’s studies should be far more important

than what we begin with”.

Professor Scott Bowman The Australian – 28/3/2012

1. Record – know your student.

SRQ – Student Readiness Questionnaire

• The SRQ consists of a number of questions

designed to assist the First Year Experience team

better understand the students situation.

• Potential impact on their learning and study.

1. Record – know your student.

SRQ – Student Readiness Questionnaire

• SRQ will build a student profile in areas including

mode of study, educational preparedness,

cognitive and emotional readiness.

• Many new students have particular needs

requiring specific support. Act early!

1. Record – know your student.

Orientation

• On campus Orientation is compulsory for international students.

• Attendees include Student Services, Academic Support (LSU), Student Association, NSW Police, NSW Surf Lifesavers, OSHC Reps, Student Mentors.

1. Record – know your student.

Orientation

• Interactive – Police. Lifesavers. Campus Tours. Bus Tour around the city.

• Catering – ‘Aussie Food’.

• Meet with Mentors

2. Rapport – building confidence. Early

Academic Support – LSU (Learning Skills Unit)

• Free service to all students seeking guidance on academic standards.

• Compulsory Workshops for international students - Academic Writing (essays, reports) - Referencing - Research and Time Management - Exam Preparation - Job Ready

2. Rapport – building confidence. Early

Academic Support – LSU (Learning Skills Unit)

• Regular 1 on 1 appointments available. Group appointments available.

• Off Campus support – Online resources.

2. Rapport – building confidence. Early

Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP)

• Provides tailored early intervention strategies to

those students who are at risk of making

unsatisfactory academic progress

(SRQ, Results from previous providers)

2. Rapport – building confidence. Early

Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP)

• Involves weekly or fortnightly informal meetings with an advisor. Regular appointments with an LSU tutor

• Attendance monitoring (duty of care)

• Counselling - external provider

• MHFA

• Recording contact – Campus Portal. CRM.

2. Rapport – building confidence. Early

Student Mentors

• Introduced at Orientation – meet and greet.

• Aspire to become mentors themselves.

• Acknowledged as a great way to becoming independent.

2. Rapport – building confidence. Early

Celebrating diversity

• Faith, culture and customs - significant to international students.

• Important to acknowledge and celebrate.

• Chinese New Year, Eid, Diwali, Christmas, Full Moon Festival, Easter, etc.

• Sports Day/Fun Day – Get Social. Get Active.

3. Recognition - Time to Engage.

Mentoring – International students see this as a privilege. Come full circle.

- Certificate of appreciation - Gifts (discounted books, movie tickets) - References - Many ask to volunteer after completing their degree

3. Recognition - Time to Engage.

Engagement

• Exodus Foundation – volunteer to help feed the homeless

• Tax Help – ATO and Accounting/Finance students

• Charity Events

Summary

• Know your international student

• Let them know you

• Build a bond – build support. Early Intervention

• Get them engaged – they want to feel like they are part of the ‘aussie community’

Thank you.