1. Internationalisation and the UWE Student Experience
Enhancing our services, sharing our ideas,
and developing our networks
Leanne Bowden, Global Student Support Coordinator

2. UWE International Student Facts and Figures
3116 International Students
30,819 Total UWE Students
10% of student population is international

3. Institutional Strategy
UWE Internationalisation Strategy:
“Bristol UWE wishes to…become a truly international university in the West of England, one which embraces global citizenship…The principal goal…is seamlessly to integrate the international perspective into all aspects of University life...”
No. 3 (of five strategic objectives): “Continue to develop and enhance the experience of international students and the infrastructure which supports that experience…”
AIM 5 LTA Strategy:
To develop learners … in global settings and as global citizens

4. Motivation of Student Services Study:
New UWE Internationalisation Strategy and Student Services Department reorganisation
Purpose of Study:
To get ideas and perspectives on improving the student experience of international students
To understand if a need exists for a centralised coordinator role/team

5. Study highlighted the need to…
Develop a role to coordinate activities and information across the institution
to enhance the international student experience
to ensure quality and consistency
to facilitate networking opportunities- encouraging all staff to work more effectively together
Have specialised international careers advice
Create a central international contact point
Support international student integration and cross-cultural exchanges

6. University Response
University commitment: internally funded two-year pilot project
Global Student Support Team
Coordinator, International Careers Advisor, Administrator, student interns

7. Central International Hub
Global Student Support Staff Network- opportunities for staff development, sharing of good practice, across-campus coordination of international activities and support
Cross-cultural exchanges/activities for home and international students
Thank you!
The year ahead…
2009