Interview an International Student

AIM

To provide students with an opportunity to reflect  on the possible challenges they may face as international students residing abroad.

PROCEDURE

Ask students to think of 5-7 questions they would like to ask to an international student. If you are using this activity as a follow up to the ‘Being an International Student’ Lecture, they can find some inspiration on the topics discussed there, or you can provide examples yourself: What differences do they observe in the organization of the courses? How are they dealing with the linguistic difference? Etc.

Get students to  contact some international students doing courses at your university. This can be done through the Erasmus groups in your university, or via the International Office or through dedicated Facebook groups organized by and for visiting students.

Ask students to arrange a meeting with one or two international students and interview them using the questions they prepared. Remind them to record their interview or to take reliable notes.

FOLLOW UP

Students can either present their findings in class and/or write a short report of their findings, plus a reflective paragraph of what they have learned from this exchange.