We were delighted to welcome our new cohort of international students to our campuses at the end of September and kick start the new academic year in style!
During Arrivals Weekend, we welcomed nearly 400 new international students via our airport transfer service from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. In booking this service, the students were welcomed at the airport, had transport arranged to then take them to the Canterbury or Medway campus, where our ‘Meet and Greet’ team welcomed and escorted them directly to their accommodation. As well as staff members, it was wonderful to have many of our current students who have just returned from their Year Abroad overseas, volunteer to be part of this meet and greet service both at the airports and on Campus.
Following the weekend, our Welcome Week saw a series of activities to help settle the students into their life of Kent. These included our annual ‘Global Hangouts’ launch – a popular networking and interactivity event designed for all new international and European students, and hosted at both our Medway and Canterbury campuses.
With internationally-themed activities and refreshments, the atmosphere was one of connectivity, fun and cultural festivity. Attendees had the chance to join in with activities including South American drumming station, Zouk and Salsa dancing tutorials, a Global Crafts station and more as well as meet representatives from Kent Union, GK Union. the Centre for English and World Languages, Student Services and more.These launch events kick-off an annual series of smaller-scale Global Hangouts arranged throughout the academic year that are open for all students to join.
Welcome Week concluded with close to 450 students taking part in our organised trip to Leeds Castle. Known as the ‘Loveliest Castle in the World’,students had the opportunity to explore the grounds and visit the Castle and experience a little of our heritage right here in Kent. Katharina Kalinowski remarked “It was lovely to meet new people and spend time with the international community. It was also interesting to learn about British history. I would definitely recommend it and would like to go on similar trips in the future.”
A few weeks after students have settled in to the start of term, we will be hosting our annual ‘International Student Experience Fair’ on 20 October 2017. The event is free to attend and gives international students even more opportunity to learn about the support services available at Kent, enjoy an afternoon of tea, cake and socialising, as well as take part in an intercultural workshop, where they get the chance to learn more about British Culture and cultural awareness, as they begin life and study in an international environment.
