dear mr angela

“Dear Mr Angela”

Engaging with international students at the University of Bristol

Angela Joyce – International Librarian – June 2012

A short story…

• 1980: A young languages student called Angela Joyce is in Perpignan, France for her year abroad……a few months later she will move on to Vienna, Austria.

Fast forward to 2012

….Angela Joyce is now working at Bristol University, as International Librarian. She still remembers her year abroad and what it was like…

Facts about University of Bristol

• Russell Group University• C4,000 international students from 120 countries• 21% of our students are international• Top incoming: China, Hong Kong, Malaysia,

France, India, USA, Greece, Germany• International Librarian post created Sep 2011

Aim of the job

• “To plan, develop, deliver, and monitor Library services and collections that meet the changing needs of international students, and to contribute generally to the provision of subject-based Library services in line with Library, departmental, faculty and University strategies, and to represent the Library in the University”.

• (From job description)

The challenges

• Reaching students• Working with SLs

effectively• Using technology

better• Too much information

for students• (Many things apply to

home students too!)

What does job involve?

Aim: to support our international

students

Aim: to support our international

students

Developing international

collectionLiaising across the

University

Promoting the 10 Libraries

Feeding back to subject librarians

Training staff – international awareness

Giving 1:1 training to students

Supporting pre-sessional students

Looking at best practice

outside Bristol

International collection

Outreach

• Library leaflets• 1:1 help• Attend International

Office events• Xmas & Easter events• Facebook• Blackboard• Library Web page

Small group support works well

Foundation English students – economics project

Online tutorials are popular – produced with Camtasiahttp://www.bristol.ac.uk/studentskills/content/ilitskills/tutorials/

Typical IL class – eg.Econs, Finance & Management

• Mixed nationalities• Small or large groups• I use lots of visuals and handouts• Aim for clear English• Get students to participate – use PCs if possible• Ask them about their country/libraries• Chance to ask questions at end, in class or 1:1

Staff training

To build international awareness

• Practical sessions• Academic theory, eg.

Hofstede• Sharing references

(EndNoteWeb)• Discussions• International food!

Watching UKCISA DVD – students talk about alcohol in the UK

DVD image shown with thanks to UKCISA

Hofstede’s 4 dimensions• Power distance

• Individualism v collectivism

• Masculinity v femininity

• Uncertainty avoidance

Hofstede has researched how people’s workplace values are influenced by national cultures.

(Hofstede, 2005)

Around the University

• I work with the International Office, Students Union, Careers, student counsellors, some lecturers, Erasmus reps – with anyone who is interested in the welfare of international students.

International week…Munich 2011…Erasmus funded

The future…• Internationalisation group at Bristol – look

at curriculum

• Spread the Library word

• Use more online methods eg. HK students

• Develop pre-sessional work

• Get some feedback from students

• Keep learning Mandarin!

• Contact with other international librarians

Final comment

From our Pro Vice-Chanchellor, Nick Lieven:

“Treat students as I would wish to be treated myself”.

Talking point….

• How do you support international students? - Teaching/collections/social media

• Should we be inclusive or treat international students as special group?

References• BARTY, A., LAGO, C. & UK COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AFFAIRS.

2008. Bridging our worlds : a DVD for training staff working with international students : trainers' manual, London, UK Council for International Student Affairs.

• DOLAN, M & MACIAS, R, 2009. Motivating international students. Available from http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/handbook/international

• HOFSTEDE, G. H. & HOFSTEDE, G. J. 2005. Cultures and organizations : software of the mind, New York, McGraw-Hill.

• JONES, E. 2010. Internationalisation and the student voice : higher education perspectives, New York ; London, Routledge.

• Prepare for success. Available from http://www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk/ 2012, University of Southampton

Thank you!

Angela Joyce

International Librarian

angela.joyce@bristol.ac.uk