TO: Team International Week Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
FROM : zge Levent & Lisa Braat
DATE : 31 January 2015 SUBJECT: Student ambassadors International Week
Internationalization is becoming a more and more important aspect in daily life
and thus in education. Through the internet borders have disappeared and as a result we are living in a global village. During the international week, the students will learn what possibilities there are for studying abroad. Guests have been invited from different countries to share their experiences with the students in form of a presentation. Lectures will be held by international teachers who have a partnership with the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. This will be a great opportunity for the students to expand their knowledge on professional international communication. As a part of the upcoming International Week, a group of HR students have been selected to serve as student ambassadors to receive guests and give them a short orientation around HR facilities as well as a few tourist highlights in the immediate vicinity of Wijnhaven. All the students ambassadors are looking forward to the International Week. The students want to come across as capable and professional communication students. But a few students have indicated that they have problems with the English language. For some of the ambassadors this may be the first time they have had to interact in a professional capacity with people from outside of the Netherlands. The students not only have problems with the English language but also have been getting very anxious of guiding the international guests because of this reason. Despite of the international character of the metropolis Rotterdam, the English skills from a few student ambassadors are on a level that does not match with the international standards. Because of this the students are demotivated to be ambassadors for the International Week. Also this problem can be dangerous for the image of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences it might create a negative image of the quality of the English courses on our schools. This problem asks for measurements. This short report will give several solutions to this problem and an action plan we strongly recommend. For Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences the International Week can be a great opportunity to promote our school and the students. We want to create a good image and increase our international collaborations. A survey has been held among 10 student ambassadors this was a mix of ambassadors from this year and last year. They have been asked to give tips for the preparation of the International Week and what could have been better organized last year (if it were the ambassadors from last year). Based on the survey that has been held among 10 student ambassadors a few solutions have come up that can be an opportunity for the Rotterdam University;
A course Business English;
The students will be getting an English course. During this course the students will learn business English. This will motivate the students to speak English on an advanced level. For example; How can they speak with the guests? Which words can they use the best? And what information is relevant to communicate with the guests? Presentations by student ambassadors of last year; The students will be given presentations by student ambassadors of last year. They can give tips and tops about the International Week. The students will have a better image of the tasks they have to fulfil and what they can expect during the International week. A 4-day trip to England; The students will be travelling to England to learn more about international cultures and languages. They will be visiting English Universities and some cultural highlights. The main language there is English so this offers a good opportunity to practice their English speaking with their new vocabulary. This trip will provide the students with a better vocabulary and the students will be getting used to speaking English. This will ensure a better result of the student ambassadors during the International week in Rotterdam. Considering the amount of time there is left and the possible solutions the ambassadors proposed we made an action plan that is feasible for the time that is still left. Because the solutions have been provided by the student ambassadors themselves the solutions are well fitted to solve the problem. The action plan is the best solution and course of action to follow to get the students proper abilities and experiences they need to prepare themselves for the International Week. ACTION PLAN
1ST Week
2nd Week
3rd Week
The student ambassadors
of last year will be asked to prepare a presentation. The student ambassadors of last year will present their presentations and give tips and tops to the students ambassadors of this year. Find a professional to give the Business English course.
The students will be
getting a Business English course and will be prepared for the trip.
The students will be
travelling to England for a cultural city trip and a practice for their English speaking. The students will be getting the last information about their tasks during the International Week and evaluate the city trip and what they have learned.