What it takes to be an international student

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What it takes to be an international student
Students were selected based on academic performance, school conduct, general knowledge and speaking and problem-solving skills.

As part of the 2018 Ambassadors programme, the Ministry of Education sent 505 school and university students to 11 distinguished universities in the US.

by

Sherouk Zakaria

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Published: Thu 16 Aug 2018, 9:51 PM

Last updated: Thu 16 Aug 2018, 11:56 PM

The Ministry of Education collaborated with a distinguished university in the US to guide Emirati school students with applying to universities abroad and gaining independence.
As part of the Future Ambassadors programme, 39 Emirati students from Grade 9 to 12 got an insider's experience of being a student in the US at the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU).
They were among 160 future ambassadors selected across UAE public schools and divided into four universities in the US, as part of the ministry's ambassadors 2018 programme that allows students to gain international experience in different fields.
The three-week programme introduced students to requirements needed to join a university in the US and guided them into taking application tests and improving their English fluency.
Isabella Pichardo, Master's in Business Administration at ERAU, said students worked on improving their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills with a focus on STEM content.
"They learned all they need to know to apply to college in the US and the skills to be successful students," said Pichardo who organised the programme's activities.
Students wrote their entrance essay, learned about the Common Application and skills for standardised tests like SAT and TOEFL/IELTS.
During the programme, the university organised a tour to four universities in Florida including Stetson, University of Central Florida, Rollins College and Flagler College to give students an overview of options available in the US, the programmes each university offers and their requirements.
Pichardo said the most important part of the programme was to give "international students an insider's experience of what it is like to be a student in the US."
She added: "Students experienced college life by staying in university dormitories, eating in the school's cafeteria and following a class schedule."
They also explored some departments of ERAU, such as Human Factors, Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy and Astrophysics. The university also gave two aspiring pilots the opportunity to go on an observation flight.
Pichardo added that the programme allowed Emirati students to get a view on the American culture. "They learned a great deal about American culture by visiting Ponce de Leon lighthouse and doing a tour on Daytona International speedway. On Saturdays, they went to Kennedy Space Center and Universal Studios," said Pichardo.
Speaking to Khaleej Times at ERAU campus, Sawsan Essa Alkashf, director of legal affairs at the ministry, said students gained independence and discipline during the three-week trip and gained a clearer image of what they want to study in the future.
"About 90 per cent of them never travelled alone. This experience taught them independence and growth, as well as exposed them to variety of study options," said Alkashf, who was among the students' supervisors. She added that once they return, students will be able to transfer their experience with colleagues at schools and help others. "That's why they're called ambassadors. They are meant to represent their country abroad and take their experience back home to their own environments," said Alkashf.
Students were selected among other applicants based on their academic performance, school conduct, general knowledge and speaking and problem-solving skills.
Alkashf added the university's academic advising, knowledge exchange and guidance helped students discover their own talents.
Globalisation and diversity is key on American campuses 
Keith Boswell, Director of Embry-Riddle Language Institute, said the programme's main goal was to have international students come over and finish their studies.
"We encourage diversity because in an era of globalisation, the exposure to other cultures brings a brighter future. We need American students to be global people and mix with different cultures," said Boswell.
According to the university's demographics, Saudi and Emirati students make up for the fourth and fifth largest demographic among international students at Embry-Riddle in 2017, after Korea, India and China.
Emirati students' interest in the university stems from its strong aviation programme at a time where the government is encouraging local participation in aerospace and aviation. Boswell said the university arranged the programme to remove the application burden off students.
"They go home with only the question of what to study. Knowing the application process and finding the right university is no more part of the question because they are taught how to do it," said Boswell.
He added that with the rise of nationalism, allowing students from different cultures to study together contributes to melting down boundaries and building tolerance especially that an industry like aviation is global.
"Once they get together, they realise that their differences are just exaggerated in the media and other platforms. They see that they are all behind similar goals and their relationships become powerful," said Boswell.
As part of this year's Ambassador's programme, the ministry sent 1, 080 Emirati school and university students and teachers participant in programmes at distinguished college campuses in US and Europe to learn new skills in the six fields of the future, innovation, giving, diplomacy, sports excellence and masterpieces.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com


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