Tier 4 Continued...Students Needing to Prove English Language Skills

Following up from the previous post, if you are intending to come to study in the United Kingdom, then you will need to prove that you have sufficient competency in the English language. According to the UKBA website, if your course is at a level NQF 6 (Bachelor's degree) or higher, then your English language skills must be "at a minimum of CEFR level B2." If your course is at NQF 3-5, then your English language skills must be "at a minimum of CEFR level B1." So, what exactly does this mean?

CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is an attempt to standardize the way we test a person's language skills, with grades, from lowest to highest, being A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. So, if you are attempting to study in the UK in a Bachelor's course or higher, you must meet a minimum score of B2. 


Students are judged on a number of different factors, including Overall Listening Comprehension, Overall Reading Comprehension, Spoken Interaction, Written Interaction, Spoken Production, Written Production, and Processing Text. More information about the test and how you will be graded can be found on the Council of Europe website: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Manuel1_EN.asp#TopOfPage.


The CEFR is more of a guideline than a strict outline that must be followed. According to the UKBA, while you must meet a specific score on the CEFR to enroll in the course, if you are intending to enroll in a Bachelor's course or above, then the education provider may choose its "own method of assessing your English language ability." However, if you are in a course that is below NQF 6, then you must be tested apparently in a specific manner, and have achieved a B1 level on all 4 components of the test.


Students coming from a majority English speaking country identified by the UKBA are exempt from needing to prove their English language competency. In addition to this English language requirement, you must also receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number. This is worth 30 points out of the 40 points required to come to England to study, with 10 points being reserved for having a sufficient amount of funds for living expenses whilst studying in the UK.


There are certainly a lot of nuances to the Tier 4 student visa, and the past two posts really just cover the tip of the iceberg of the rules and regulations that govern this seemingly simple visa category. Here is the UKBA's very, VERY detailed guide to the visa (a 79 page thriller): http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier4migrantguidance.pdf 

So remember, be sure to read ALL pertinent information about the visa that you are applying for, so that you send out all required documents and forms. One missing signature or one missing duplicate could postpone your trip significantly. Trust me, I was very close to having that happen on my own Tier 4 student visa application!


Rule #13 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Be up to date with all immigration rules and regulations, because they can change frequently depending on the party in power.


LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265

Studying in the UK- Tier 4 Adult Students

Ah, that comforting yellow sign when you touch down in England. But there is a  detailed immigration process for students wanting to study in the UK.

So you've decided to study abroad at an English university. And you're all excited about studying in London, Leicester, Manchester, etc. But you forget about an important detail- the visa process. When dealing with foreign governments and their immigration system, it can be very daunting and very confusing. Often times there isn't precise information out there on what documents you need and what visa you need to get. But, need not fear, for surprisingly the United Kingdom has done a pretty decent job about being clear on who needs to apply for the visa and what documents they need. Well, kinda.

If you are not a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or a British Commonwealth or territory, then you will need to obtain a Tier 4 student visa. Britain seems to be unique in that you must qualify for the visa based on a points system. 30 points are awarded for students who have a valid confirmation of acceptance for studies and have acceptable English language skills (more on that in a bit), while 10 points are awarded if students meet the financial requirements.

An acceptable course of study ranges under the Tier 4 guidelines. First, the student must be registered full-time, and the course must be as part of their Bachelor's degree or higher (the Bachelor's degree is referred to as level 6 on the National Qualifications Framework [NQF], so it must be level 6 or higher). Or, the course can be an English Language course at or above level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR- I am not really sure what this is so more research is required on my part!). Or, the student must be involved in 15 hours of daytime study, which is specified as between 08:00-18:00 (hadn't heard that one before!).

However, if the course is below NQF level 6, then the course must be part of what is called a pre-sessional course,which is supposed to prepare you for the main course that you will be taking immediately following. For instance, some schools offer a pre-sessional English course to help prepare foreign language students for their true course of study. Also, the course could also be on level 3, which is considered to be equivalent to English A-levels, only if the student is studying with a Highly Trusted Sponsor. Think you might have trouble finding one of these "Highly Trusted Sponsors"? Fear not- the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) lists over 2000 institutions that fall into this category!

OK, so that is a very rudimentary introduction to students studying under the Tier 4 visa. Up next, we will delve more deeply into this visa, and wade through the waters of students whose first language is not English, and will have to prove their English language skills. It gets tricky, but after understanding the terminology and acronyms, it gets a lot easier!

UK Border Agency Tier 4 website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/studying/adult-students/

Rule #12 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Understand the immigration procedures for countries where your students will be travelling to or from.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265

Comprehensive Internationalization

According to the European Association for International Education (EAIE- again acronyms!), the buzz term in the NAFSA conferences this past year has been "comprehensive internationalization" (CI). In the publication "Comprehensive Internationalization: From Concept to Action," they define CI as follows:


"Comprehensive internationalization is a commitment, confirmed through action, to infuse international and comparative perspectives throughout the teaching, research, and service missions of higher education. It shapes institutional ethos and values and touches the entire higher education enterprise. It is essential that it be embraced by institutional leadership, governance, faculty, students, and all academic service and support units. It is an institutional imperative, not just a desirable possibility. Comprehensive internationalization not only impacts all of campus life but the institution’s external frames of reference, partnerships, and relations. The global reconfiguration of economies, systems of trade, research, and communication, and the impact of global forces on local life, dramatically expand the need for comprehensive internationalization and the motivations and purposes driving it."


Obviously, this is a lofty goal, and surely will be difficult for some institutions to employ. In an interview I had today with a Study Abroad Coordinator, I was told that the most difficult aspect of her job was dealing with the administration. This, I am sure, is a common problem for International Offices across the country interested in implementing a plan for comprehensive internationalization at their school. Aside from that, many schools are experiencing tough financial strains that limit their ability to establish new programs, and may prevent them from thinking and acting globally.


But perhaps, as crazy as this sounds, money is weighed too heavily when thinking up new programs and projects that promote internationalization. There are many things that could be done to get students and staff thinking globally. Having study abroad material available for students when they go to see their academic advisors could be a huge step at getting students to consider studying abroad as part of their educational success. Creating social events that get international students more heavily involved with home students and organizations could be another way to create an international atmosphere.


Another aspect I did not consider about internationalization was getting professors, faculty, and staff to begin thinking more globally. As the report states, "Mobile students without mobile faculty and staff creates dissonance in the attempt to internationalize." Indeed, creating more opportunities for faculty to live, learn, and teach abroad will surely open up their worldview, which in turn will open up the worldview of their students when they return to campus and share their experience. More concerted efforts to have university professors engage globally should have a trickle down effect on students. Indeed, as the report suggests having a top down, bottom up strategies working in tandem will work to expose a wider amount of people involved with the institutions to global ideas and cultures.


Whether a university is experiencing financial strain or success in this stagnant economy, there are many things we can do as proponents of international education to get more people passionate about the world outside our borders.

Rule #11 for Breaking into the Field of Internationalization: Learn what is being discussed among IE professionals, and learn where you fit into this discussion.


LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265

What Does Your Resume Say About You?

As many job hunters know, resumes can be a tricky subject. There is so much varying advice out there that it is often difficult to know how to approach your resume. On the one hand, you can be creative and different with the presentation of it, but many "experts" warn against it, stating that too much pizzazz can overshadow the most important part: the content. However, on the other hand, conventional resumes, depending on the company or institution, can appear dull, boring, and lacking effort.

So, how does one go about formatting their resume? To me, it would depend largely on the company, and on your own personality. When looking at your resume, what do you see? Do you see something exciting? Do you see a person that is passionate about their work? Do you see anything at all? If you look at your resume and you feel uninspired or bored, then more than likely you need to spruce it up! This is what happened to me just the other day. I took a look at my resume, and I proceeded to yawn. Where was the passion that I felt for International Education? Where was it that demonstrated that I was capable of excelling in an international office? 

Hence, I have taken it upon myself to give my resume a makeover. Where once there was dull black and white with far too much text and not enough design, there is now color and more concise information. I believe it is a step in the right direction, but perhaps the best thing that you can do to update your resume is to add more professional, educational, or volunteer experience relevant to the career you are seeking to break into!

Take a look at your resume, and really ask yourself if it is a reflection of your personality and of your passion for the job. If it is not, then maybe that is part of the reason why you are not getting any callbacks! 

Next Post: What is Comprehensive Internationalization?

Rule #10 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Compose a resume that is a true reflection of your passion and your talents.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265

Fulbright Scholarship- What You Need to Know

The field of international education is full of programs, scholarships, and third party study abroad providers that you need to be familiar with. One of these is the Fulbright Program, an international education exchange program sponsored by the United States government. The Fulbright Program is prestigious, with participants chosen for their "academic merit and leadership potential," so that they may teach, do research, or study in another country. Around 8,000 people per year are granted the scholarship, with some 1,600 U.S. students  and 1,200 U.S. scholars chosen to participate. A 12 member Fulbright Scholarship Board is assigned the task to select those who will receive the scholarship.


There are several programs offered to U.S. students and scholars under the Fulbright umbrella. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for three different purposes: study/research, English Teaching Assistantships, and travel-only grants. The program is only offered to graduating college seniors, graduate students, or young professionals and artists. For more information on this program, visit their website:
http://fulbright.state.gov/grants/student-program/u-s-citizen.html


Fulbright Scholars are typically faculty members of U.S. universities and colleges who are conducting research or teaching abroad; there are also a limited amount of administrative staff who are in the field of international education.


To apply for the Fulbright Scholarship, prospective candidates must undergo a "lengthy and rigorous" application process. There is a yearly application cycle for all programs, which begins typically 15 months prior to the grant start date and ending around 11-12 months prior to the start date. For more information, visit the Fulbright website: http://fulbright.state.gov/apply.html


The Fulbright Program is an amazing opportunity for students who are seeking a very involved and unique study abroad experience, and who have interesting ideas concerning international relations and cultural exchange. Fulbrighters are encouraged to bring back the lessons they have learned from their host country and share them when they return home. Exciting and prestigious, the Program is one of the most recognized cultural exchanges in the world, and would bolster any resume or cover letter.


The U.S. government also provides information for study abroad in general, which can be found at http://studentsabroad.state.gov/. There, you can receive information on travel tips, including necessary documentation needed for studying abroad, information on health care abroad, emergencies, and voting when abroad. This is definitely a useful tool that should be utilized by all students who are studying abroad.


Hopefully this information will serve useful to some, as it can be difficult finding accurate information for even fellowships abroad. My advice would be to always check certified government websites before traveling abroad, ensuring that you have all pertinent documents and information to make your trip safe and fun.


Rule #8 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Be familiar with all government programs and information in order to advise students properly.


LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265

5 Often Overlooked Reason Why Students Should Study Abroad

Let's face it, studying abroad is awesome. There are so many reasons why every student (yes, EVERY) should study abroad, that I could write a book about it (future project?). But besides the obvious reasons of experiencing a new culture, meeting new people, and having something amazing to put on your resume, there are also a few overlooked reasons that study abroad advisors might forget to tell you about. So, here is my TOP 5 list of the often overlooked reasons why students should study abroad.

5. You Could Meet the Love of Your Life

Now I realize that this is very personal and subjective, but it is quite possible that you could in fact meet your future wife/husband when you are living abroad. How do I know this? Because it happened to me, and it was something that I did not even think to expect when I embarked on my study abroad adventure. And I am not the only one that this is happened to. In fact, there are many stories of college students traveling to another country, only to be struck in the heart by Cupid's arrow. For instance, here's an article in International Student Voice Magazine that chronicles such a romance:http://www.isvmag.com/it-started-on-top-of-the-worlds-steepest-street/.


4. You Realize that the Things at Home You Thought Made You Happy Were in Fact Doing the Opposite. 
Studying abroad changes you- there's no question about that. But a dramatic change can occur that really alters you perception of life (if you let it of course). When studying abroad, you meet new friends, new people, experience different cultures; and what can happen is when you return, you begin to see that the routines you were comfortable with at home were in fact dull, boring, and stale. Living in another country will most certainly snap you out of any rut you were experiencing before leaving, and will push you to seek out new and adventurous hobbies and people. During my stay in England, I met people who were open-minded, caring, and accepting, making me realize that the friends I had back home were anything but. It can be shocking, and quite frankly scary to come to this realization, but once you do your life will begin to improve dramatically. 


3. You Realize that America is not the Greatest Country in the World
OK, let me be clear- I am not saying that America is not a great country. It is, and I love living here. But when you immerse yourself in another culture for an extended period of time, you start to understand that there is more than one way to live a life. People in other countries may not have as much convenience as we do here in the States, and they don't have access to gas guzzling pick up trucks, but what they do have is a greater sense of community. For the first 20 years of my life, I was under the impression that America could do no wrong, and that every other country in the world strove to be like us. Of course, I was dead wrong. Living in England, I saw thriving city centers, pedestrian friendly cities, and an advanced public transportation system. When I came back to Alabama, I saw deserted downtowns, inhospitable cities for walkers, and no sign of buses or trains to connect the suburbs to the city. The more we learn from other cultures and begin to address the real problems we face here in America, the better off we'll be. Sending more students abroad would be a big step in the right direction.


2. You See that your Diet is Scarily Unhealthy
I know, this seems like a weird one, but it's true. Americans, perhaps more specifically Southerners, are guilty of one of the seven deadly sins: gluttony. We indulge ourselves far too much on fast food, fried everything, and sugary soft drinks with 100g of sugar in every bottle. The rest of the world, however, does not. A lot of countries eat much fresher and less processed foods, supported in part by still thriving, open-air markets selling fresh fruits and veggies. You know how there is a fast food restaurant on every corner in your hometown? Not so in England, where fast food joints are a lot harder to come by. Oh, other countries will still serve you up a plate of pure fat and calories, but just not as often, and you won't be bombarded by it everywhere you look.


1. You Start to Understand your Place in the World
The more people you meet, and the more cultures you experience, the more you begin to see yourself not as merely an individual, but rather as a piece of a much larger puzzle. You start to believe that this individualistic culture we live in today perhaps is not that great, and rather being a part of a much greater function is more fulfilling and gratifying. You see that you offer something unique to the world, and that your abilities need to be utilized to construct a more positive and advanced society. It sounds far-fetched and idealistic, but the world is full of dreamers working everyday to turn those fantasies into realities. 


Go study abroad. See for yourself.


Rule #7 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Appreciate what you have learned from your time abroad, and apply it to your everyday life.


LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265

Terra Dotta: Amazing Software

I am not sure what the percentage is of universities currently using the Terra Dotta Software, but it seems to me that this is an amazing and invaluable tool for orchestrating an international office. Terra Dotta is study abroad software that allows you to organize all offered programs, student applications, and updates onto one convenient location on the web. Students can search the system with very exact and precise parameters in order to find the study abroad program that matches their requirements. Administrators can create checklists of what papers and documents each student needs to sign, as well as keep tabs on students who are studying abroad by following each phase of the study abroad application process (There are six according to Terra Dotta- The advising phase, pre-decision, post-decision, active, returnee, and alumni).


According to the Terra Dotta website, about 230 institutions and businesses use the software. This definitely seems like an amazing feature, especially for those people who struggle to stay organized (both students and staff alike). But I wonder- would there be a tendency to rely too much on the Terra Dotta software in assisting students who are deciding to study abroad? Knowing some students, they may feel that by simply using the search features of the software, that they do not need as much advising, since they have already chosen which institution and program that they want to attend. Similarly, would some staff rely on Terra Dotta to choose the program for the student, instead of guiding them in the decision process.


These are questions that, really, would need to be addressed by a university who does decide to use the product. Beside the cost of the software (apparently $60,000 per year in 2009), it appears that there is little downside to using Terra Dotta. Knowing that there are hundreds of different study programs that can be offered by universities and outside providers, this is a great tool that helps students avoid the headache of wading through all of these programs, which today seem to be in infinite supply. With the ever expanding business that is studying abroad, this product could potentially open students and staff to a wider range of programs than ever before. This, subsequently, could then mean even more participation in students studying abroad.

I am interested to hear more about this software, and what universities who use it like (or dislike) about it. Signing off for now, have a good weekend! Here are some links if you want to find out more about Terra Dotta:
Terra Dotta website: http://www.terradotta.com/
Article about the 'business' of studying abroad: http://chronicle.com/article/The-Booming-Business-of-Int/44244/


P.S.- C'mon England!!! I'll be rooting for the Three Lions tomorrow in the quarterfinals against Italy.


Rule #5 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Do your research! Know what programs and software international offices use and become familiar with them.


LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265

Resources

As many of you may know, landing a job in today's market is very difficult if you do not have a significant amount of experience. That age-old question inevitably is asked by many job seekers as they are on the trail of their perfect dream job: How can one get experience if every open position requires experience? What's the secret to getting a job without having experience? The answer, coming from my unqualified and still unemployed perspective, is resources.


It is extremely important to tap into any and all literature on the subject of International Education. Professional groups, such as NAFSA and the Institute of International Education, are great places to begin expanding your knowledge on the field. Read all of the available reports and publications (the free ones anyway- after all, you are unemployed). Join the SECUSS-L forum, and read ALL of the postings. Gain a better perspective of the field and its current problems, its current goals, and some common actions being taken by different institutions across the world. By doing these, you will come across MUCH more knowledgeable and experienced, even though you have not worked in an international office, per se.

The NAFSA website also has an excellent career center with job postings

A couple of my favorite resources are blogs and newsletters. I have been reading a lot lately the International Student Voice Magazine, which gives a great perspective on the international student experience, and insidestudyabroad.com, which gives great tips on finding work in a study abroad office.


Another excellent resource: study abroad advisors themselves! Contact your international office at the school you graduated from. More than likely, they will be more than happy to assist you as you are breaking your way into the field. Don't be shy- email different institutions that you would like to hear more about, or whose study abroad programs you admire. The worse that can happen is that they will say no.


So, that is my next step- contacting schools across the country whose international offices I truly admire, and asking for an informational interview in order to learn how their offices function, what challenges they face, what aspects of the job they love, and what advice they have for me in getting my foot in the door. You never know what a conversation will lead to.


Here are the links to the resources that I have been using:
International Student Voice magazine: http://www.isvmag.com/
http://www.insidestudyabroad.com/
NAFSA: http://www.nafsa.org/
Institute of International Education: http://www.iie.org/




Rule #2 of Breaking into the Field of International Education: Utilize all available resources.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265

Introduction and Mission

Greetings all, and welcome to Breaking into the Field of International Education! My name is Zack Wright, and as you may have guessed from the title of this blog, I am seeking to enter into the career of international education. Unfortunately, this is not a blog (yet) about how to enter into the field. Hopefully it will be one day, but right now it is about the process- it is about the journey, the trials and tribulations, of finding a position within an international office at a university. There will be some heartache, and hopefully some success, but perhaps this blog will serve as a tool for others as they, too, search for a job within the field, or any field for that matter!


First, a little about myself. I have a B.A. in History from the University of Alabama, and an M.A. in Social Change and Resistance from the University of Leicester in England. In the fall of 2008, my sophomore year, I had an experience that shaped my life. I studied abroad in Leicester, England- the first time that I had truly been away, completely on my own, without any friends or family for support, in a culture that was surprisingly much different to the one that I was accustomed to. To sum it up, never had I had so much fun! From studying abroad, I discovered an independence and a resilience in me that I never knew I had. From studying abroad, I gained self-confidence and self-awareness, finally understanding my place within the world. From studying abroad, I was no longer just a citizen of Alabama or even the United States- I became a global citizen, expanding my once narrow view of society and culture. 


Like so many people I have talked to or heard speak about their study abroad experience, I became hooked. After my semester abroad, I knew that I had to return to Leicester, a city that I fell in love with, and to my friends in England, whom I also fell in love with. Indeed, during my short stay in 2008, I would meet my best man at my wedding, and my wife, Sabrina, the East Anglian girl who lived upstairs from me in Shirley House. 


I returned to Leicester in the fall of 2011 to pursue my Master's. After living nine months in a tiny studio flat in the bustling city center, we moved in with Sabrina's parents in Hellesdon, a village just outside of Norwich. There, I finished up my dissertation, and experienced life in East Anglia, developing a perfectly healthy obsession with Norwich City football (soccer to you Americans), British television, and exploring the surrounding villages and coastal towns. 


Now, we are here in sleepy Birmingham (Alabama, not England), newlyweds as of April 7, 2012, and seeking to begin our lives together. First priority- find a job! With a certain amount of luck and ingenuity, I will soon be able to apply my passion for expanding our cultural interaction with other countries to one lucky university international office. But until then, I will be doing anything but waiting. 


When living abroad, in order to truly appreciate and enjoy a foreign culture, you must be proactive and open-minded. 


Rule #1 of Breaking into the Field of International Education- Be proactive!


My LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265