International degree student guidance and counselling : supporting the international student community at Turku University of Applied Sciences

Abstract

The increasing number of English-taught degree courses alongside the absence of tuition fees has persuaded more and more students to consider studying in Turku and Finland generally. The number of foreign students has doubled during the 21st century and has consequently challenged the guidance and counselling services provided for them. However, the current guidance, information and counselling system which was created to serve mainly native Finns – rather than students of other nationalities – does not necessarily provide the kind of help a foreign student would need.

The articles in the publication follow the student’s learning path and illustrate that providing guidance and counselling services for international degree students requires resources to be allocated differently compared to Finnish students. In addition, we provide support and tools for tutoring international students. As part of the TUAS Agricola development project, it was noticed that there is very little support for teachers tutoring international students, taking into consideration the specific needs of the students. In any case, the developing services for international degree programme students should be integrated within overall development of student services.

The publication provides initiatives, notes and recommendations regarding guidance and counselling services.