1. Building bridges with China: collaborative opportunities to enhance international experiences for academics and students Veronica Vernon & Cathy Griffiths Edge Hill University SOLSTICE & CLT Conference 2013 5 th & 6 th June 2013

2. Guizhou Province Located in South West China Landscape -mountainous region Home to 48 ethnic minorities Capital Guiyang Population 4,324,561 (Guiyang 2010) Food – Hot, spicy and sour

3. (Background) January 2012 Stage One1 – Development of a two week Summer School for Guiyang Student Nurses: 6 students and 1 English teacher Stage Two – Design and delivery of a bespoke teaching programme in Guiyang: 6 students, 2 academics Stage Three – Development of a three month educational programme delivered at Edge Hill University for three academics: 2 clinical nurses, 1 English teacher

4. Stage 1: preparation Some ‘knowns’Many ‘unknowns’

5. Stage 2:Selection Process Programme delivery Student Experience Invitation – all students from identified cohort Short listing – 17 written applications Students invited to attend interview and presentation – “Day in the life of a student nurse”

6. Introductions 7 students selected ( 2 reserves) A series of sessions organised to plan/organise event – Opportunity for students to meet each other – Find out about more about Guiyang – Share presentations – Discuss expectations, identify possible resources, materials Date set for June

7. First Impressions

8. Introduction to Guiyang Vocational Nursing College

9. Preparing for the adventure Preparing the student group – Motivation, group dynamics – Planning for teaching and Learning – Difference in culture – Language Barriers

10. Induction week Guiyang style!

11. Developing the Teaching Programme Number of sessions? ‘Knowns’ and ‘unknowns’ (language / knowledge) What did they want form us? Storming, norming, performing ….. Eventually!

13. Support v challenge Meeting expectations Comfort zones

15. Students as teachers Deconstruction and reconstruction of their role New identity Peer or protégé? Power dynamics ‘Student mode’ Effecting change in attitude and behaviour

18. Interesting translation!

21. Standing shoulder to shoulder

22. Impact: ‘Student’ Experience

23. Impact: ‘Teacher’ Experience

24. Stage 3: What was valuable?

25. Further research Models for preparation? Strategies for institutions? Impact upon current and future careers? Impact on patient care?

26. In summary…….