As we come to the end of the academic year 2024/25, we wanted to say thank you to all our amazing international students who have given up their time to be a member of our International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). This Board, now in its third year, is a collaboration between Kent Students’ Union and the University, led by the department of Global Learning. Members are made up of a diverse range of countries, academic disciplines and study type.
Following a competitive recruitment round, with over 100 applications for 20 places earlier in the year, our final members got started straightaway.
In the Autumn term, we held a few drop in sessions for members to get to know each other and offered the opportunity for other international students to come along and bring forward any concerns or issues they would like the Board to discuss. Those discussions went on to inform the priorities our members chose to focus on this year. The issues raised are regularly reported at both the Student Experience Committee and Global Engagement Steering Group, involving key stakeholders from across the University.
ISAB attended the Cultural Food Festival in November.
Having a really engaged and passionate group helped to push some of the key projects forward through the five action areas ISAB focussed on.
Accommodation and cost of living
What we did…
Met with the accommodation team to raise issues and help facilitate better understanding of needs and requirements; included more transparency of costs, clearer information about vacating accommodation over the winter and summer breaks, better pictures of facilities to inform decision making.
What happened…
The accommodation team took the feedback on board and have now created a new accommodation page for International Students to manage expectations and improve understanding.
Buddy schemes
What we did…
Carried out research of existing schemes and surveyed students to find out if students wanted a scheme and what the ideal Buddy Scheme would be.
What happened…
We will be taking recommendations from the survey report forward to next academic year.
ISAB members ,KSU Representatives and International Students at the New Year Festive Dinner
Healthcare and nursing services
What we did…
Reviewed current information about how healthcare and nursing services work in the UK and produced a script for a video that could be used to help understanding. Raised the concern around support for PG students over the summer when facilities on campus close.
What happened…
Working towards launching the video as part of the pre-arrival guide for new international students arriving in September.
Pre-arrival support
What we did…
Investigated what information is required by students, and then reviewed what may be missing from current pages, or needs collating to produce a one stop welcome booklet/guide written by students for students. The aim is to help with things like opening a bank account, registering with a doctor but also where to find their home cuisines or ingredients locally.
What happened…
Working towards a pre-arrival guide in time for new arrivals in September, and with the help with two dedicated ISAB members responsible for content creation to ensure this remains a priority over the summer.
Visa and immigration
What we did…
ISAB worked with Kent Students’ Union Advice Service to explore what they are able to do, and see where the gaps are in what is being identified as missing.
What happened…
This action remains ongoing. ISAB and the Wellbeing Student Advisory Board have agreed to collaborate on this topic focusing on compassionate communications associated with and acknowledging how some communications have an impact on students’ mental health.
In addition to these priority areas, members have also led on activities to support international students staying on campus over the winter and spring breaks. This included a Christmas Craft and Chat event, New Year Festive Dinner and during the Spring break, an Easter themed picnic, and group study sessions.
“We had about 11 people in total join the Easter themed picnic. Some even brought a mat so we could sit on the grass, which added a lovely nature element to the afternoon. Toward the end, the weather really brightened up, and we just sat around chatting. I mentioned ISAB, and they said they’d love to have more events like this, especially ones outside, relaxed and nature focused.” Elorm
Easter themed group picnic.
We are very proud of the members this year for what they have achieved.
Do you want to be a part of ISAB next academic year?
Applications to join ISAB open on 1 September, or you can register your interest by emailing globalopportunities@kent.ac.uk.
This is what ISAB members enjoyed about being a part of the Board:
- Good community spirit within the board, and lots of creative projects.
- The meetings are effective and help foster relationships between members.
- Everyone having a project group gives a sense of belonging and responsibility.
- Open conversations and group discussions, the diversity of members and a focus on relevant issues.
- The division into taskforces was synthesized and allowed for multiple goals to be achieved at once.
