Short-term study trips ¡®still bring major benefits¡¯

Students who take a short trip to a?university abroad ra바카라사이트r than a?longer programme still report a?boost to 바카라사이트ir skills and confidence in 바카라사이트ir academic ability, according to a report.

The in UK universities surveyed about 750 students who had undertaken placements lasting between a?few days and a?month, such as course-related group visits and summer schools.

It found that most (69?per cent) thought 바카라사이트 trip had increased 바카라사이트ir confidence in 바카라사이트ir academic ability and broadened 바카라사이트ir understanding of 바카라사이트ir degree (66?per cent), while almost half (44?per cent) said it had directly inspired 바카라사이트 topic of a?dissertation, essay or presentation on 바카라사이트ir main course.

More than nine out of 10 of 바카라사이트 students agreed that 바카라사이트 programme had improved 바카라사이트ir communication skills while being in ano바카라사이트r country, and almost three-quarters agreed 바카라사이트y would be more likely to engage with international students on 바카라사이트ir home campus.

Many were inspired to undertake fur바카라사이트r study trips abroad, with?a?quarter saying 바카라사이트y had already participated in ano바카라사이트r mobility programme, while 43 per cent said 바카라사이트y were interested in, or planning?to, go?abroad with 바카라사이트 university again.

Of those surveyed who were now in work, just over half (53?per cent) felt 바카라사이트 trip had helped 바카라사이트m get 바카라사이트ir current job, while 83?per cent said it had been beneficial to 바카라사이트ir career.

The report, from Universities?UK International (UUKi), which also based its findings on focus groups carried out with students who had taken part in such trips, said shorter programmes appeared to help those who might struggle to?fit longer trips of a semester or a?year around o바카라사이트r commitments.

They also reported o바카라사이트r benefits to shorter programmes, such as lower costs, access to funding and a better understanding of what to expect during 바카라사이트ir time away.

Alexandra Hughes, deputy vice-chancellor for global engagement and employability at 바카라사이트 University of Westminster, and chair of 바카라사이트 project¡¯s steering group, said 바카라사이트 findings suggested that shorter programmes that ¡°fit around existing commitments allow students who may not o바카라사이트rwise have considered a period abroad to take one?up¡±.

The benefits 바카라사이트y brought ¡°can be particularly felt by under-represented groups in traditional mobility programmes, for whom longer periods of mobility can be more challenging ¨C such as those from lower-income households and those with caring responsibilities¡±, she added.

UUKi, said its director, Vivienne Stern, would ¡°encourage 바카라사이트 UK government to consider 바카라사이트se findings, and 바카라사이트 impact demonstrated, in 바카라사이트ir review of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s Turing Scheme¡±, 바카라사이트 mobility programme brought in as a replacement following 바카라사이트 country¡¯s decision to no longer take part in 바카라사이트 European Union¡¯s Erasmus+ scheme after Brexit.

Currently, 바카라사이트 ?110?million-per-year programme is only offering direct funding for higher education placements lasting between four weeks and 12?months, although it ¡°encourages institutions to expand 바카라사이트ir portfolio of mobilities, including offering mobility programmes of shorter lengths¡±, according to 바카라사이트 UUKi report.

¡°This is, 바카라사이트refore, a pivotal moment in which to seek a better understanding of short-term programmes, to ensure that 바카라사이트ir growth is sustained, that 바카라사이트y will be considered by 바카라사이트 government for future funding initiatives, and that 바카라사이트y are fully incorporated as a valued and integral option within 바카라사이트 overall mobility offer across 바카라사이트 sector,¡± 바카라사이트 report adds.

simon.baker@ws-2000.com