1. Professor Sharon Huttly Dean of Studies
Life and Work at LSHTM
Professor Sharon Huttly Dean of Studies
Improving health worldwide

2. This session will include
LSHTM as a study environment
Returning to study
Maths introduction
Student support
Safety and security matters
Careers service
Library
IT services
Student Representatives Council

3. LSHTM as a study environment
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is an ___________ institution The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is an international institution

4. The next 20 minutes Provide you with an opportunity to consider:
That the LSHTM is an international institution
The potential benefits and pitfalls of studying in such an environment
Strategies to maximise the benefits, to prevent pitfalls and to deal with problems

5. MSc Students by Country

6. LSHTM as a multicultural institution
Opportunities for learning about:
British culture
Many many other cultures

7. Studying in a multicultural institution
Buzz exercise 1: What are the potential pitfalls of studying in such an international environment?

8. Potential pitfalls Misunderstanding Giving offence
Loss of social identity
Language, communication difficulties
Different approaches to shared tasks
Different lifestyles
Don’t know what is acceptable/not acceptable – jokes, personal space
Interpreting non-verbal language
Assumptions and stereotypes
Retreat into “polite behaviour”

9. Potential pitfalls
Buzz exercise 2: How can we prevent the pitfalls? How can we deal with problems which arise?

10. Preventing pitfalls/ dealing with problems
Do not assume shared cultural norms
Remember your culture is one of many cultures
Approach people with an open mind – see the individual not “the typical…”
Be prepared to give feedback
Be prepared to receive feedback
Ask for help: fellow students, course reps, tutors, course directors, Student Adviser etc.

11. Studying in a multicultural institution
Buzz exercise 3: What are the potential advantages? How can we maximise these advantages?

12. Advantages Learning about other countries
Learning about other cultures
Becoming more flexible and understanding
Making friends in many countries
Developing a network of contacts for future work

13. Maximising the advantages
Make the most of social occasions
Create opportunities for interaction
Be aware of what restricts people socially (expense; time and distance; perception of danger)
Home visits
Keeping in touch when your studies finish

14. Final thoughts
Make the best of this challenging and exciting new environment
We cannot assume shared cultural norms
Be prepared to give and receive feedback

15. Returning to Study
Buzz exercise 4: What excites you about returning to study? What makes you worried about returning to study?

16. Exciting things The challenge ahead
Learn new skills for professional development
Get away from routine work
Be my own boss!
Rich academic and cultural environment
Time to think and discuss
New things, ideas, people
Opportunity for fun!

17. Worrying things Financial matters How to organise and prioritise study
Balancing work and study (part-timers)
Missing family and friends
Homesickness
Assessment, exams

18. Help and support People – staff, fellow students, family and friends
Key skills sessions, for example English classes, maths refresher classes – look out for other sessions later this term and beyond
Written sources – handbooks; study skills guides

19. And finally….
This is likely to be one of the busiest periods of your life
Your studies at LSHTM will be finished much sooner than you think
You will hopefully experience a lot of happy times here but maybe some difficult ones too
But we hope this will be one of the best periods of your life!