Jisc Change Agents' Network Conference 2024

As a member of the University Mental Health Charter, the University of Reading (UoR) takes a multi-faceted, yet whole university approach to addressing practical, emotional, and academic challenges which can affect student identity and self-esteem. This includes skills-based support services, community-building initiatives, welfare and careers counselling.

International students’ self-seeking behaviours in accessing such support vary depending on, for example, length of stay, levels of social connectedness, and English language proficiency etc. Nevertheless, some common barriers to uptake highlighted in the literature are:

• Lack of familiarisation if services are atypical in students’ home country institutions

(Martirosyan et al., 2019)

• International students are more comfortable with seeking help from their cultural peers than university services (Harryba et al., 2012)

This project targeted students taking Pre-sessional English (PSE) to meet their English language requirements. The majority progress to postgraduate studies where early weeks can easily entrench traditional study habits at the expense of engaging with the wider university community and support on offer. Furthermore, the International Student Barometer (i-graduate, 2022) reveals that 47% of surveyed participants at UoR do not attend an orientation programme e.g. welcome week hence missing key support information. PSE is a significant transition tool though, and represents an effective way to promote dialogue on wellbeing through the academic curriculum and engagement with support services. 

In doing so this aligns course content more closely with the university’s priorities, replacing general EAP subject topics.

The project, which was awarded the Baleap [The Global Forum for EAP Professionals]  Impactful Collaboration Award in 2023, takes  a student-centred approach to raising in raising awareness of university support services. It outlines collaboration with colleagues  in these functions to enhance the interface of our own Academic School and PSE with university support services

References

Harryba, S, Guilfoyle, A.M., & Knight, S. A. (2012) Understanding the challenges of accessing university support services: The perspectives of staff members and international students. International Journal of Learning, 18 (6), 263-290

i-graduate (2022) International Student Barometer, University of Reading

Martirosyan, N, Bustamante, R., & Saxon, P. (2019) Academic and Social Support Services for International Students: Current Practices. Journal of International Students, 9, 172-191