international placement opportunities for undergraduate students to enhance employability. corinna...
TRANSCRIPT
International placement opportunities for undergraduate students to
enhance employability.
Corinna KlaentschiFaculty Placement Development Officer
York St John University
What is a placement?
• Learning that is achieved during a period of time outside the institution.
• Learning outcomes are integral to programme.
• Learning period is supported by the institution throughout the placement experience.
• Placements can be from 3 to 12 weeks.
Benefits of an international placement
Personal and professional development requires self-directed learning and autonomy
Personal values and beliefs challenges personal beliefs, values and norms enhancing awareness of how you perceive others
Global Citizen encourages cultural consciousness, cultural knowledge and cultural sensitivity.
Communication skills develops communication skills including observation skills
Creativity and innovation develops creative problem solving skills and innovative thinking
Flexibility and adaptability requires navigating new systems and approaches
Project management skills managing time and budgets before and during placement
What health students say
experience played a pivotal role in gaining employment.
skills gained are equally relevant and transferable to the UK.
being more culturally aware is being equipped to work in multicultural UK.
increased independence and confidence to search for diverse employment opportunities.
could have gained similar skills in the UK but would not have had the chance of a life time.
How is quality ensured in existing international placements?
Partnership with reputable UK third sector providers
Memorandum of Understanding with Universities
Follow QAA guidelines Follow guidelines set by
professional bodies Visit the placements when
possible
What is in the agreement plan?
Placement capacity Length of placement Learning opportunities Supervision Assessment –if required Accommodation Health and safety Communication channels
Support for the placement provider
On-going communication “tutorials” via internet Commitment for tutor to visit
at least once to support student /supervisor, teach and share general good practice
Aim for placement provider staff to visit YSJU where possible
Support for health students
• Opportunities to meet up with former students
• Opportunities to meet up with YSJ staff
• Pre- placement training• Suggested reading lists/video
links• On-going communication
throughout placement• Potential half way visit from
visiting tutor• Placement review
Transferring the model to non professional placements
SIMILARITIES All degrees have placements All students benefit in similar
ways Financial issues
CHALLENGES Length of placement Culture of placements Learning requirements
Curriculum development project
Awarded a Learning and Teaching grant
Interviewed and selected 3 students
Identified 3 staff members Arranged and funded visit to
Bangladesh Pre and post focus groups with
the team Information portfolio produced
for future students
Student researcher and Erasmus project
Student researcher explored possible European placement opportunities
Applied pedagogical approach to international placement learning opportunities
Awarded Erasmus grant Volunteering in Bulgaria for 12
weeks whilst following up options
Will develop information portfolio for future students
Challenges for the students
Length of placement Timing of placement Importance/weighting of
placement Health orientated options Being the first!
Benefits for the students and staff
Confidence in quality of placement
Preparation and support Increased autonomy Widen learning opportunities Something different!
What the students say
Improved cultural awareness Broadened horizons Developed a global outlook More flexible and adaptable Improved problem solving
skills More Independent Matured “Best thing I ever did” “Amazing” “I have made friends for life”
Benefits for York St John
Attracts dynamic students Internationalising curriculum Innovative curriculum projects Opportunities for staff mobility Publications and grants Mutual shared learning External partnerships
Sustainability and the futureInvestment in time
creates quality placements which
students thrive on and providers benefit from.
Happy providers ask for more students
and let other providers know of the
benefits
Happy and successful students gain
employment and spread the word about opportunities at YSJU
