ISANA

Beatrice Merrick

Abstract: In 2006, Tony Blair launched the second phase of his Prime Minister’s Initiative for International Education, aiming to increase and diversify inward mobility to the UK, to build partnerships at institutional and national level with key target countries and to improve the quality of the international student experience. This paper will look at how a range of UK partners are working to deliver on this latter strand. “Preparation for success” has been identified as fundamental to raising international student satisfaction levels by ensuring students are helped through the initial transition period as quickly and smoothly as possible. Some resources have been focused directly on students, but much of the work is based around developing and sharing best practice in institutions, and improving professional development opportunities and resources for staff working with international students. This paper reports on key developments to date, and directions for the future.

Keywords: International student experience; integration; employment; finance; preparation; professional development

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