English
中文
Citing that nationality exclusive groups may hinder the intercultural interaction of students which is an important component of international education, University of Sheffield pro vice-chancellor for learning and teaching Paul White says that universities should highly consider banning student societies which are nation specific. He asserted in the Westminster Higher Education Conference which had as its theme the internationalisation of London that British universities should promote true cultural integration more.
Professor White pointed out that most students stay in their respective national groups almost always. He adds that it is the responsibility of the institution to facilitate the mingling of different nationalities. According to him, teachers should see to it that students are not given the total liberty of picking the students they will work with in groupings and ensure that groups have a good mix of members coming from different cultures especially in the aspect of assigning accommodation. Further, he raised as a factor in cultural integration the purpose of both international and British students in pursuing international education.
Factors
Some foreign students intend solely to experience how the university educates and do not have in mind experiencing a truly international education, the professor says. He adds that although higher education institutions have been performing well with respect to assisting students in finding friends in their academic activities, there is much more to be done as far as cultural integration is concerned.
The professor relates that banning national student societies is being done at City College in Thessaloniki, Greece. The college describes itself as an “international faculty.” He explains that the purpose of the move is to prevent students from the Balkan region to get the feeling that they are Serbs, Kosovans or Macedonians. This example gives an interesting idea, he further says.
Another factor which can be looked in to the separation of international students from the British is their arrival time at the university. These two groups arrive as two separate groups as the former does one week earlier than the latter. The result is that foreign students make friends among themselves first before they get the opportunity to reach out to their UK counterparts.
Acculturation and Transition Challenges
In addressing the issue of banning culture based groups at university, we also need to consider the acculturation and transition challenges that students will face, says Cassandra Colvin who is who has been involved in the international education industry since 1996. Given her background in doing management roles supporting the needs of international students, she believes that the ban proposed by Professor White should not be made a total one. She asserts that international students, both new and old ones, need support as they enter, adjust and live in a new or different environment.
Further, universities can also create organisations and activities which will facilitate a more positive way of cultural integration. For example, the University of Southern California in Los Angeles have such groups and events that have the goal of easing the isolation being experienced by international students, says a netizen by the user name of LG Johnson. With the aim of helping students cope with culture shock, cultural integration is facilitated in the process.
