When spending a certain period abroad students will be encouraged to widen their worldview, to amplify their intercultural competences and to refine their soft skills. It is not unusual, however, that mobile students experience different or even all phases of a cultural shock during their stay abroad (see for example Furnham 2004, pp. 16-19 or Zhou et al. 2008, pp. 63-75). This is why it is essential that the host institution offers comprehensive support and services in order to help incoming students adjust to their new academic and cultural environment. One practical example in terms of support measures would be what is often referred to as a welcome calendar. This sort of calendar provides an overview of all important dates (e.g. deadlines for registration, bank holidays, welcome events, lecture period, etc.) as well as tips and checklists related to the daily life on campus and the mobility experience at the host institution (e.g. regulars\u2019 table, summer schools, festivals, etc.) throughout the academic year. It is meant to guide incoming students through their stay.<\/p>\n
Representatives of the South African partner universities in the IMPALA project developed such a welcome calendar in the context of the working group dealing with mobility issues. The welcome calendar for incoming students presented below was prepared by the University of Fort Hare.<\/p>\n
Take a look at UFH’s welcome calendar (pdf)<\/a><\/p>\n The Directorate of International Relations at the University of Venda took a different approach to the task and developed an extensive academic calendar that is meant to be used by both its incoming students as well as by its own staff members. The calendar presents information on admission, enrolment, orientation, workshops, information sessions, etc. and is supposed to facilitate internal planning and organization.<\/p>\n Take a look at UNIVEN’s academic calendar (pdf)<\/a><\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Foreign Students \u2013 Education and culture shock When spending a certain period abroad students will be encouraged to widen … <\/p>\n
\nAdrian Furnham
\nThe Psychologist \u2013 Vol 17, No 1, 2004, pp. 16-19
\n\u2022 Theoretical models of culture shock and adaptation in international students in higher education
\nYuefang Zhou, Divya Jindal-Snape, Keith Topping, John Todman
\nStudies in Higher Education \u2013 Vol. 33, Issue 1, 2008, pp. 63-75 https:\/\/srhe.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03075070701794833#.W02r2UxuKUk<\/a> (accessed 02.08.2018)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"