Internationalising Higher Education

Students don't just spend time in their departments; they spend time with their friends, in their residences and at social activities. Can these informal interactions with students of different nationalities outside of the classrooms help develop students' global awareness by providing opportunities to learn about other cultures? This poster will discuss an ethnographic case study of the views of postgraduate students of different nationalities residing in university accommodation in the north of England about their living experience, their interaction with other students and what impact they believe this has had on their understanding of other cultures. The study includes how students approach socialising with students from other countries and other languages, what difficulties they may find in developing friendships, what type of activities facilitate contact with students from other cultures and how overseas students go about 'getting involved' in campus life. Due to the relatively small number of UK students going overseas to study, the presence of international students on campus can serve to add an 'international' aspect to the experience of UK students; consequently UK students have been included in the study. This poster will present analysis of the study, and suggestions for improving international students' integration and enhancing students' opportunities to become more inter-culturally aware and to develop as global citizens.