UKNFS and OCHD websites links to this resource:
UKNFS website link: https://uknfs.org/international-students-and-international-students-stakeholders-support-information-resource/
OCHD website link (this resource is accessed on the UKNFS webpage provided above): https://www.ochd.org.uk/international-students-and-international-students-stakeholders-support-information-resource/
The geographical area (Dorset & Bournemouth Poole Christchurch) particulars can in regard to other areas in the UK where our UK Nepali international students’ study (London, etc. and across the country, be exchanged regarding local area signposting for the Dorset area ones (these provide indications of comparable organisations and support stakeholders elsewhere that can be substituted for those on the website resource above).
The online resource can be used by for example the Merging Nep Socs initiative, which can also refer to an original resource’s particulars that received the formal support of former Ambassador of Nepal to the UK, H.E. Dr Chalise – please see this more extensive model resource at:
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Although many of the topics covered in your new international students induction when starting your studies, feature in this resource, you will find that some topics of importance may not have been covered, or there could be from time to time, through potential experiences, value in the information we provide here ALL BASED ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS perspectives and experience, that can help you in engaging with advice providers at your college, university, students union, and especially on organisations outside that from time to time you may need to contact, or have interaction with.
The resource itself is of value at national level, but we have included some Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch signposting information as well for new and existing international students studying in our area, too.
This PDF and parallel webpage provide topic headings (Part A: introduction, how to use, background, and Part B, the main thematic topics resource), and accompanying brief descriptions of content for the individual sections, and links to the full information for each topic online.
The image above kindly provided by David Jones of ETC International College.
PART A:
About the information resource and related: https://uknfs.org/about-and-why-the-information-resource-is-needed/
Support dedications regarding the information resource: https://uknfs.org/support-dedications-from-international-students-and-organisations-providing-international-students-services-or-support-signposting-services/
How to use the information resource: https://uknfs.org/how-to-use-the-information-resource/
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PART B:
1. Charities and organisations that support international students:
For overseas students coming to study and live in the UK it is important to be aware of charities and
organisations, outside of direct academic study settings) that engage with international students and can support their needs when needed. This page provides some Dorset, Bournemouth & Poole area useful information.
Link: https://uknfs.org/charities-and-organisations-that-support-international-students/
2. Local BAME / ethnic minority community groups:
The UKNFS is aware of how important it is for international students coming to study and live in the UK it is important to be aware of local ethnic minority community organisations to connect with. This page provides some Dorset, Bournemouth & Poole area useful information.
Link: https://uknfs.org/local-bame-ethnic-minority-community-groups/
3. Local authorities:
Local authorities / local councils cover a number of services where international students at some point in the time of their study in the UK will have to or may need to come into contact with. Your university or college in the induction they will have provided to you information on local ‘councils’ / ‘local authorities’ and their services that you may need or be required to engage with in the time of your stay in the UK. Local authority services that may be needed by you or you need to engage with, include but are not limited to ‘Council Tax,’ housing/accommodation, electoral services.
This page provides some Dorset, Bournemouth & Poole area useful information.
Link: https://uknfs.org/local-authorities/
4. Permitted work – Employment Opportunities, and Employment Agencies:
This page provides important information for international students studying in the UK that have in their visas’ acceptance conditions, and through their universities and colleges induction information been informed of their eligibility for part-time employment. This page provides some need to know information on directions in regard to such part-time, permitted employment, and dangers to avoid.
Link: https://uknfs.org/permitted-work-employment-opportunities-and-employment-agencies/
5. Accommodation – regarding reputable Letting Agencies and Landlords & related:
Need to know information on a very important subject: contains valuable guidance and detailed level links.
Link: https://uknfs.org/accommodation-regarding-reputable-letting-agencies-and-landlords-related/
6. Health and medical care:
International students of universities and colleges will have provided information on these important subjects, on for example registering with a ‘GP’ – this section of the information resource provides supplementary valuable details and links, including on the NHS, pharmacists, and beyond.
Link: https://uknfs.org/health-and-medical-care/
7. Immigration Advice – online, local, and national:
A subject that is from the start to the finish of studying in the UK crucial for international students to know, as was in the 2020 Covid 19 impacts period made even more important.
Link: https://uknfs.org/immigration-advice-online-local-and-national/
8. Reporting potential discrimination, exploitation, and or race/ethnicity related prejudice:
Rarely, international students can find themselves experiencing discrimination, prejudice, exploitation. Your university or college, and students’ union will have provided you with information on such potential experiences. This section of the resource provides you with supplementary information and guidance of value in the event of your having such experiences.
9. On and off campus or college religious faith and belief groups:
For many, most international students coming to study in the UK, information about on and off campus places of religious worship are crucial to quality of life and day to day living. In addition some international students will also require non-religious beliefs connections support whilst in the UK. This section of the resource provides some helpful guidance on these important subjects.
Link: https://uknfs.org/on-and-off-campus-or-college-religious-faith-and-belief-groups/
10. Your university or college – its duties and functions:
Introduction:
This subject is perhaps the most important of all for international students as it covers so many day to day matters of practical importance and especially the major subjects of successful or less successful study and attainment of end of course/study qualifications.
Your university or college will in your study/course acceptance contract provided information on their functions, and your and their duties and responsibilities (subjects such as but not limited too: academic services delivery; services support; safety and safeguarding; pastoral care; having the best possible outcomes of the total international student experience). Your university or college will also have provided information on their associated ‘students’ union’ and its services, which are central to the non-academic, social interaction and living in the UK opportunities. This section of the resource provides valuable, international students-based insights related guidance.
Link : https://uknfs.org/your-university-or-college-its-duties-and-functions/
11. Security and related:
This section of the information resource covers some need to know security, safety, and safeguarding subjects that are essential to know. International students will have been provided with information on these subjects by their university or college, and students’ unions. Subjects covered by this section of the resource include: personal property; accommodation (including at Halls of Residence, and off-campus); public settings; ID theft.
Link: https://uknfs.org/security-and-related/
12. Diversity – engagement and learning:
‘Diversity’ is the word used to describe individuality, including at a group/collective level: it signifies different communities, sub-population groups, ethnicities, traditions, religions [‘conservative,’ ‘liberal,’ ‘orthodox,’ ‘non-orthodox,’ ‘esoteric,’ ‘exoteric,’ ‘dogmatic,’ etc.], both religious and non-religious faiths and belief systems, minorities such as sexual orientation and gender minorities (globally known as ‘LGB’ [meaning Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual], and ‘T’ [for Trans and Non-Binary]), nationalities, gender equality, learning about British culture and communities, and more.
Parallel to academic study, the opportunities offered to international students in interpersonal communication skills and experience, and transcultural learning rank of often equal value where diversity engagement and learning is concerned is particularly valuable and important. This section of the information resource provides detail on diversity of value to all international students.
Link: https://uknfs.org/diversity-engagement-and-learning/
13. Getting the most from your stay – transcultural learning & making friends:
We have provided some information on this important topic in our Diversity section (12), but in this section highlight how important it is to learn and experience as much of the host country/British culture, and especially that of the locality you are studying in – the town or city’s history, its architecture, parks, cultural venues, about famous people associated with the town or city.
Link: https://uknfs.org/getting-the-most-from-your-stay-transcultural-learning-making-friends/
14. When your university or college systems and support are perceived as unintentionally confusing or don’t work out for you in an emergency or regarding a major continuing problem:
Sometimes you may find that in the rare circumstance that you encounter a crisis, unlooked for emergency, or your university or college initiates actions that you find unjust or poorly explained, you may need to seek external support. This section of the information resource provides some useful information on this important subject.