Improving Integration of International Students: Case Study ESN Laurea
Sevalneva, Anastasia (2020)
Sevalneva, Anastasia
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020060416815
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020060416815
Tiivistelmä
The main purpose of this research thesis is to determine the current integration issues faced by the international students at Laurea University of Applied Sciences. The secondary objective is to map how Erasmus Student Network Laurea can help with improving the integration situation. ESN Laurea is a non-profit organisation that focuses on supporting international students of the university. It was founded and is run by the students of Laurea, including the author of this thesis.
This thesis introduces Erasmus Student Network as an international organisation, including its structure, history and mission. More focus is given to the case company, ESN Laurea. Being a founding member of this organisation allowed the author to thoroughly explain its history, activities and goals. Moreover, theory of integration and culture is researched with the use of books, articles and online sources and they are presented in this thesis.
The main research methods used in this thesis are semi-structured interviews and a survey. Some of the data were gathered from the face-to-face interviews conducted with an international officer of Laurea, as well as with a group of international students. The questions asked included ones about the respondents’ experiences with internationalization, integration and activity of school organisations. More data were gathered with an online survey, answered by 42 Laurea students.
The outcome of this thesis reports the current issues that the international students of Laurea face in terms of their integration process. It became evident which areas need improvement, such as having more intermixed courses with the local students, information and guidance provided during the introduction week, as well as a growing demand for cultural events. Based on that knowledge, ESN Laurea is given recommendations on how to use its existing platform in helping the international students.
The recommendations are based on the opinions and suggestions shared by the respondents of the interviews and survey, as well as the theoretical framework and conducted research. ESN Laurea, as well as other student organisations of Laurea UAS, are encouraged to use the results of this thesis while planning their activities.
This thesis introduces Erasmus Student Network as an international organisation, including its structure, history and mission. More focus is given to the case company, ESN Laurea. Being a founding member of this organisation allowed the author to thoroughly explain its history, activities and goals. Moreover, theory of integration and culture is researched with the use of books, articles and online sources and they are presented in this thesis.
The main research methods used in this thesis are semi-structured interviews and a survey. Some of the data were gathered from the face-to-face interviews conducted with an international officer of Laurea, as well as with a group of international students. The questions asked included ones about the respondents’ experiences with internationalization, integration and activity of school organisations. More data were gathered with an online survey, answered by 42 Laurea students.
The outcome of this thesis reports the current issues that the international students of Laurea face in terms of their integration process. It became evident which areas need improvement, such as having more intermixed courses with the local students, information and guidance provided during the introduction week, as well as a growing demand for cultural events. Based on that knowledge, ESN Laurea is given recommendations on how to use its existing platform in helping the international students.
The recommendations are based on the opinions and suggestions shared by the respondents of the interviews and survey, as well as the theoretical framework and conducted research. ESN Laurea, as well as other student organisations of Laurea UAS, are encouraged to use the results of this thesis while planning their activities.