Johannes Kepler Universität Linz

Kick-Off for International Degree-Seeking Students

The number of international degree-seeking students at the JKU Linz continues to grow. The International Welcome Center has created a service-oriented welcome program.

Objectives

Welcoming international degree-seeking students and providing these students with information/points of contact at the university.

Background

When arriving to a new place to live and earn an academic degree, international students face multiple challenges that can include learning a new language, cultural differences, as well as differences in navigating a new country’s system and infrastructure.

(Implemented) Activities

- Scavenger Hunt At the beginning of the semester (at the beginning of October, and again at the beginning of March), we invite international students to take part in a scavenger hunt throughout the city of Linz as a way to become more familiar with the city and its residents. Instead of a guided tour, students are more active, solving the tasks as part of a group and finding their own way through Linz. The students explore the city in a fun, entertaining, and more informative way, not only learning historical facts about the city, but also discovering many interesting and inviting places to one day return to. - The JKU in a Nutshell Fellow JKU students take newly enrolled international students on an exciting tour of the campus, providing the new students with information they should know when studying at the JKU, along with personal tips and advice that could be helpful in the future.The campus tour for international students addresses a variety of questions, such as how to put money on their JKU Card (Student ID Card), where the best (and most inexpensive) place to print documents on campus is, and where the Austrian Student Union office is located, and more! Following the campus tour, we invite international students back to the IWC for cake & coffee. This is also an opportunity to get to know fellow students, learn more about the university system, and get answers to any open questions. - Info session during the Welcome Week at the JKU We extend informal, casual invitations to get together and meet up at the International Welcome Centre (IWC). This is an opportunity to talk about university services, provide important information about student and campus life (such as the IWC, the Office of Student Information and Academic Advising Services, the University Sports Institute, the Office of Student Psychological Counseling, various student interest groups, and more).

Results

In an effort to better facilitate living in a new country and studying at an Austrian university, international students should be able to access services easier (International Welcome Center).

Lessons learned

International students need a more focused welcome program on account of their unique circumstances in a new country and at a new university.

Further links