Using social networks to engage with international students Alison Tebbutt European Officer

2 Objectives To create a sense of community among prospective, current and former international students, To provide an informal forum where students can share their experience and talk about their life at the University of Southampton To improve the international students’ experience before and during their studies at the University To attract home students interested in an international experience To use the social network platforms as a source of market research by monitoring trends

3 Implementation Focus on three main social networking sites already being used by students and by other University departments –Facebook –You Tube –Twitter Collaboration with other University departments: Alumni Office, Career Destinations, Accommodation Service, E-language department, Students’ Union, Visa Guidance Team Communications plan and guidelines developed for each site All three sites launched July 2010

4 Student Ambassadors Co-ordinated by the International Office Monitored daily by Student Ambassadors: –Voluntary scheme in collaboration with Career Destinations, awarded Graduate Passport points –6 months pilot (July-December 2010) –10 Student Ambassadors each monitoring one of the sites on a rota basis –Training provided - a workshop and a manual –Fortnightly meetings with the International Office

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9 Outcomes so far Target of 500 Facebook fans met within 1 month of launch Specific campaigns were run in collaboration with other departments / projects: –Students’ Union, International Women’s Day, Marketing Officers Current numbers (Jun 11): –Facebook fans1191 –Twitter followers 154 –YouTube subscribers 39 (Total viewings 3,598)