Course:EAP104 1 ICCModule/Projects
ICC Module 5 part 2: Joining a community and shaping how that community interacts with you
First of all, international students show make sure they have the language skill for normal communications, Language communication is the primary condition for integrating into the new environment. Second, learn social etiquette in a new environment. Every place has its own customs and etiquette, but we should follow the local customs. We also need to take part in extra-curricular activities at school so that we can meet more local people and integrate into the environment. Based on this proposal, university administrators can hold more social activities after class, so that everyone can relax and have a chance to get to know students from different classes. At the same time, a grammar room can also be set up, which can help international students to check the grammar of papers to speed up the speed of international students' integration into the language environment. At the same time, professors are asked to be patient with international students and try to be loud and clear in class. Local students should use as simple and easy-to-understand vocabulary as possible to communicate with international students, and try to invite international students to participate in some extracurricular activities.
To improve the situation of international students living in Kelowna, first, international students need to try to talk a lot. It is important to go outside and communicate with various people rather than staying in their room, and to be proactive without being afraid of making mistakes. This can be improved by creating an environment in which those around them can easily communicate with each other. It is important to listen to them patiently and kindly, and to greet them lightly and talk to them when you see them. Professors should have more office hours to give international students more opportunities to talk, and university staff should feel as if they are the guardians of international students when they talk to them or inquire about their recent activities, so that international students will not be afraid to talk to them. Not only the local students and people in the residents, but also everyone in the environment surrounding the international students will need to be patient with them. This will help the international students improve their language skills more quickly and help them become accustomed to their environment.
For building a good relationship with international students for local students, being fair is one of the most important things. In order to do so, try to help them, and ask for help as well. Many international students are good at niche skills, therefore, as you communicate through it, you will be able to help their university life consequently.
University administrators and professors can help with students’ school work and registration to courses, community, and so on. They may also need to be patient as students’ culture differs from the culture they are aware of. By recognizing the cultural difference and teaching them, it helps their further university life.
In the communication between international students, it is important to respect each other. It is going to be an interesting experience to learn about those different cultures from native people from various different regions. Thus, they should try to share their opinions and experiences actively with open minded attentions.
The best way for international students is to get out of their comfort zone and try new things, for example, having communication with local students by listening to the topic that they are talking about and joining them. The most important thing is “do not afraid of making any mistakes”, this quote is the key for their life. Moreover, many international students do not know how to make a friend with local students so it would be very nice if local students can help international students go through a new environment by guiding them. Professors that give attention to international students is an extremely nice people because international students have to go through a lot of stuff by themselves at the beginning most of the time. University Administrators just have to be good listeners when international students have a problem, this position is one of the most important jobs for international students to rely on.
Yi Jiang's ideas for helping EFP students
In order to improve the situation of international students living in Kelowna, local students and residents could help them with some basic living issues like applying for local phone numbers, showing them the campus and shopping centers, helping them to join the club that they are interested in, and teach them how to apply for school’s residence and rent the house. These things will help international students to live more conveniently in Kelowna.
For university administrators, they could give some suggestions and supports to help international students be successful at UBCO.
The major part of the university is professors’ lectures, so they need to talk slowly to help some students whose first language is not English to understand the knowledge in the lectures. Also, professors can not leave students alone, and they need to have communication with the student and solve their confused questions. This is not only a way to be a good professor but also a way to help students get a higher grade in professors’ courses.
As an international student, I would like to hear and learn about some cultures from other countries, which will be interesting and broaden my horizon. Furthermore, if they can share some learning and living experiences at UBCO, I will take fewer detours in living and learning, which will help me to be successful in school.
LIN
In order to create a welcoming and friendly environment for international students, it is important for all parties to work together. Firstly, international students should not hesitate to connect and reach out with local students and residents. It is very important to ask questions and be active, don’t be afraid of making mistakes. It is very important for international students to know that this is a diversified, respective, and safe place for them to complete their studies. In order to reach such goals, it’s not only professors’ or university administrators’ job, local students and residents should also help. Being friendly and patient, in my opinion, can encourage international students to actually reach out to them when needed help. As English can be the second or third language for many international students, it would be preferable if local students and staff are willing to be patient, listen, and guide those international students even if they failed to communicate their needs. Lastly, special activities and meetings should be provided to international students, especially in their first and second years of university, to help them blend in the new environment as well as provide extra help for them.
Jiahui
To improve the situation of international students living in Kelowna, personally, it is necessary for local students and residents to be friendly and open-minded to welcome students from diverse parts of the world. Meanwhile, international students need to be active, not be afraid to make mistakes and engage with their surroundings. Besides, university administrators also play a significant role in the situation since their attitudes influence local or international students' comfortability at UBCO. Students arriving at UBCO will be overwhelmed with their environment and need support and advice to be able to adapt better to university life. Lastly, the professors try to be patient with their students in their learning process and give as much feedback as possible to help them improve in their future paths.
Jialiang Lin
Local students and residents can do is to introduce some local cultures, skills, and laws to international students. It really helps freshmen to adapt to living here. This is what local students and residents can remind the international students of life detail that schools cannot do. University administrators can set up an orientation week and introduce the school. Because they are the people who most know about the school. They can tell the international student about each building’s name, where you can buy coffee, where you can open a bank account etc. After that, they can also organize more activities to help students connect with the school. Professors can make sure their class is step-up, some international students accept totally different educational systems, so they need some time to adapt to new teaching methods. The beginning of class should not be too difficult, and the class outline should be clear. International students can help international freshmen know what they need to do as soon as possible when they arrive in Kelowna. For example, we need to buy insurance, open a bank account, etc. As international students, they can help new international students very carefully, and they have more time and energy than administrators.
Biqi He's idea for supporting international students
To help international feel at home during studying at UBCO or living in Kelowna, local students and residents, university administrator, professor even themselves can take some actions.
Since local students and residents born and raised in Canada, they know more about local and indigenous culture. They can share local culture with international student to help them learn more about the Canadian culture. Additionally, local people should show respect and accept different culture. Because international students are from all over the world, different country has different culture. Finally, local students and residents can hold some events and invite international student to attend.
University administrator can hold campus tour event, this is very helpful for international student to know where is dormitory and where is academic building. Also, they can create inquiry center for international student to solve their problem.
Professors should pay more attention to international student because they may feel concerned about their courses. In this case, professor can ask student regularly if they need help or if they totally understand the content of courses.
International student themselves can also make some effort to let them feel happier. They should try to make friends with local people, this is a good way to practice their English. Moreover, international student should help each other. For example, when someone encounter difficulties, try to talk to their friends will make them feel better.
Kiichiro Suganuma
Local students can be kind, welcoming, and friendly, help adapt the new situation. Knowing people helps life in university so much easier, so being close to people helps a lot.
University administrators can be introducing what international students need to do such as applying MSP, SIN number, etc. In addition to that, university administrators can set social activities and introduce them to new students.
Professors can give students time to adapt the new environment for the first few weeks if possible, so students can be prepared and be less stressed.
International students Being kind, welcoming, and friendly. I believe some international students have the same problems or things they need to do, so they can help each other by sharing useful information. They can understand similar stresses, such as leaving their home country alone, speaking different language, etc
Yasi Huang
Because local students and residents are familiar with Kelowna, if the international students meet some problems, for example when they don’t know how to go to local bank, I hope local people can help them. If possible, local people or students can also introduce the local culture and characteristics or give some suggestions on life to help to international students better adapt to life here.
If there are some important information need international students know, please send us email, especially when the deadline for some important matters is approaching. Maybe they can provide more delicious Chinese food in dining hall.
As an international student, English is not my mother language, my listening and spoken English is not good, so sometime when I was listening to classes, I cannot understand what professors said, I hope professors can be patient or try an easier way to express the points and give us some suggestions on studying when international students asked them questions.
I hope there can be a free and harmonious atmosphere for international students from all over the world, mutual help and fraternity among classmates.
Xiaotao Gao
When I came to Canada, everything was new. But I didn't make many friends because I was afraid to talk to strangers. After a few months in Canada, I started to feel homesick, but luckily, I met great teachers, friendly TAs, and most We all came from different countries and provinces, and EFP allowed us to know each other's culture and To be honest, before I joined the university, I thought the EFP course was boring, but now that we are ending the course, I am starting to become reluctant. I'm lucky I'm on this EFP course, we have a lot of festival activities that other university students don't have. The teachers are not unreachable, they are friendly, and the course has helped me to adapt to university life and not be afraid to interact with others. I am grateful to all the teachers, TAs, and friends.
At the end, some advice for all international students is don't be afraid to interact with others, don't be afraid to participate in activities, and don't be afraid to express your ideas!