University of Worcester International News - February 2015

WORCESTER

INTERNATIONAL NEWS THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER

February 2015

GAME OF THRONES STAR VISITS UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER p. 6 IN THIS ISSUE:

Most Improved University for Research p.4 Exchange Students 2015 p.5

FEATURE

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCES February officially marks the start of a new semester here at the University of Worcester. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were welcoming all the new international students here to the University at the Welcome Breakfast, and now they are half-way through their first year! We thought it would be really good to ask some first year international students how they are finding their experience here at the University so far.

Akinsiku Tomilayo Nigeria Nursing Studies BSc (Hons)

Akkara Lionel Jose India Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)

“I have met so many wonderful people here; people are ready to help you when they know you are new to the environment. The culture and weather is very different here compared to back home in Nigeria.

It has been very Akinsiku Tomilayo interesting for me because I have been able to experience new things here.

“At the University of Worcester the student population is quite varied with students all the way from Bulgaria to India. This has made me feel quite comfortable as it was easier to adjust to the environment, which is more calm and welcoming, allowing you to sort of smooth your way into life at the University. The town and city of Worcester is a very historical and calm place.

I chose the University of Worcester after reading the course profile on the website. This course was exactly what I needed in order to get more knowledge for my profession. Friends and family also recommended the University because of its precedence in academic excellence.

Worcester is a small, historic and beautiful city. It’s far away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, which appeals to me. I believe a serene environment is the best place to study. I also believe as a student here I can find a good balance between studying and having fun.

The people around here are very friendly and ready to help so it was quite easy for me to make friends.

As well as this the support I get from my tutors is parallel to none which is the most important thing for me. There are also more than enough facilities at my disposal which has left me with no choice but to give my best to my studies.

I find studying here very interesting and interactive; the modules, the essays and assignments have all broadened my scope of thinking, and have sharpened my ability to critically think and analyse.

My advice for prospective students is to get on the next bus and join me at the University of Worcester. I have not regretted my decision and I’m sure they would not either!”

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international@worc.ac.uk

Akkara Lionel Jose

The reason I picked the University of Worcester was mainly for the course. It was a new course and I was impressed by the implementation of up-to-date equipment and methods. Another thing that set Worcester apart was the integrated placement system where placements are integrated into the term early on, rather than as block placements towards the end. This helps students apply what they’ve learnt immediately and helps with development of their skills. I think I enjoy the placements most because you get down to the nittygritty details of actual Occupational Therapy work.

A difficulty that students can face is getting around the University. The University of Worcester Firstpoint office handles all these enquiries and has not failed to answer and help me in some way or the other.

Facilities wise, the University offers everything you need including a 24/7 learning centre where you can use the computers and the printers for late-night work.

Overall, I think I will enjoy my time at the University and I know most others would too. It’s an opportunity to be enrolled in a welcoming environment where lecturers are nothing but encouraging and the opportunities for improvement are endless.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

WELCOME Welcome to the new edition of the International Newsletter Firstly we wanted to give a big welcome to the new exchange students that have joined us this month. It is a great privilege to welcome exchange students from across the globe and we hope that you enjoy studying here with us!

It was also really exciting to welcome Game of Thrones star Kit Harington; to the campus in December. He gave some advice to some of our current Drama students on his visit, read the full story on page 6.

We are also very pleased to tell you that the University of Worcester is the most improved University for research in the UK. The University has climbed 32 places in the independently audited Research Excellence Framework rankings. Read more on page 6.

Here at the University we were really proud and honoured to host the countdown to Worcester’s 2015 European Wheelchair Basketball Championships which kicked off in style at the historic Worcester Cathedral. Read more on page 4.

We hope you are enjoying what our students bloggers are writing about in the ‘Worcester Student Life’ blog. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can visit www.worcesterstudentlife.com

CONTENTS FEATURES First Year Experiences

2

New and Exciting Courses at the Worcester Business School 4 The University of Worcester Exchange Students Programme

5

INTERNATIONAL NEWS The University of Worcester is the Most Improved in the UK for Research

4

Drama Students Receive Advice From Game of Thrones Star Kit Harington 6 Cathedral Hosts Draw for Worcester’s Forthcoming European Wheelchair Basketball Championships 6 Mature Student’s Story is Made into a Film 7 Top American Occupational Therapist Shares his Experience with University of Worcester Students 7

Our International Experience team, based in the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre, are always happy to help too. You are welcome to visit us for any support that you need or just to say ‘Hello’.

More Research Needed into the Experiences of Children in Military Families, says Worcester Psychologist 8

We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Deborah Graddon, our new International Student Advisor.

University Unveils Plans to Help Increase Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs

Don’t forget to check our Facebook page for information and events updates at https://www.facebook.com/UniversityofWorces terInternationalStudents?fref=ts

University Awards Latest Round of eExtracurricular Scholarships 9

Your well-known friends from the International Committee are also planning interesting events for you! Just check their Facebook page for the latest updates at https://www.facebook.com/ worcesterinternationalcommittee If you have a story that you would like to share with us for the next edition of the newsletter, please email it to international@worc.ac.uk or pop in to see us.

Best wishes,

8

New Book Explores Slavery and Colonialism in Sierra Leone 9

CONTACT US If you need to contact Worcester International, you can reach us at: University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK

Worcester International

Tel: +44(0)1905 542640 or email: international@worc.ac.uk www.worcester.ac.uk Stay in touch with us on Social Media: www.worcester.ac.uk/follow-us

international@worc.ac.uk / FEBRUARY 2015 / 3

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The University of Worcester is the most improved in the UK for Research

The University of Worcester is the most improved in the UK for research after climbing 32 places in the independently audited Research Excellence Framework rankings, making us the most improved in the UK for research.

Researchers at Worcester have been recognised as carrying out world-leading work in History, Art and Design, Health, Education, Biological Science, Psychology, Sport, Geography and English. There is also internationally excellent work in all these areas and in Business and Management and in Drama and the Performing Arts. The last time the exercise was carried out, in 2008, research at Worcester was rated world-leading in just one subject area – English – and then just 5% of the work in English.

This huge quality improvement has been paralleled by a massive jump in the number of University of Worcester staff carrying out such research work, with 112 submitted to the 2014 exercise compared to just 25 in 2008.

Some of the research conducted at the University of Worcester has already had a major impact – such as the work on how to care better for people living with dementia. The work Worcester researchers have made in bringing history to life in areas such as Remembrance has also been recognised by the REF 2014 assessment, as has the huge impact of the work in children’s illustration and art and design generally.

Commenting on the results, Professor David Green, the University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: “The wonderful staff at the University of Worcester are deeply committed to making a positive difference to our region and the wider world. Research carried out in areas from tackling the obesity epidemic to how to stimulate children’s imaginations through art and illustration is having a growing impact for the good. The huge increases in the quality, quantity and range of the research work carried out at the University.”

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international@worc.ac.uk

NEW AND EXCITING COURSES AT THE WORCESTER BUSINESS SCHOOL In September 2015 the Worcester Business School will be offering new and exciting taught postgraduate courses which will enhance students’ work experience and employability. Students can choose to take an MSc in Finance, Human Resource Management, Management or Marketing. Our new suite of courses also includes our new MBA. All of these new courses require no prior work experience and all have a 6 month internship built into the course.

John Gardener who is a senior lecturer in Marketing says: “These new courses offer a fresh and exciting perspective on managing a business, whilst providing the necessary skills and experiences to thrive in your future career” These Masters courses are international programmes enabling you to share your experience and listen to other managerial perspectives from across the globe.

These courses provide automatic access to our Future Leaders’ Programme – a community to support your managerial development beyond your academic skills.

You will have free entry to our Enterprise Events, allowing you to network with successful entrepreneurs and leading business academics for advice and inspiration on the development of your professional stance. With these new courses we are delighted to offer each international student (non-EU) a celebratory bursary of £1,400, bringing the tuition fee for the Masters Courses and MBA down to £10,000. EU Masters students are eligible to apply for scholarships of up to £1,000.

If you would like to find out more about these courses then please visit our website.

More information is available at: www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/business-postgraduate

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The University of Worcester EXCHANGE STUDENTS PROGRAMME Lois Lewis from International Experience talks about why you should consider being an exchange student here at Worcester and the welcoming of our new students to the University.

What does your role involve here and what are the exchange programmes?

Lois: I am the Exchange and Study Abroad Co-ordinator responsible for the exchange programmes for both incoming and outgoing students.

We offer two different types of programmes here at the University.

‘Erasmus+’ is the name of the European exchange programmes which are subject specific links with a range of universities across Europe and mobility grants are available to students on this programme.

We also have the ‘rest of the world’ exchange programmes with several other countries. The agreements we have with these universities covers the broad range of subjects they offer. If you become an exchange student here, you can study for one year or one semester of your degree programme.

Who do we have exchange partnerships with?

We have Erasmus partners in Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Our ‘rest of the world’ partners are in Australia, America, Canada and New Zealand.

What are the benefits of being an exchange student here at the University of Worcester?

Taking part in an exchange programme will add value to your degree and your personal development. Coming from another country to study at the University

of Worcester, you will find it’s a great place to adapt to another educational culture, students will find they will become increasingly flexible in their approach to study and confident in the way they tackle assignments. Taking part in an exchange programme is ideal for students looking to gain transferable skills and adaptable approach to life and work. Being an exchange student here will allow you to develop, grow and gain skills that will allow you to broaden your future career opportunities.

The University welcomed many new exchange students to the University last month- what can exchange students expect from their time here at Worcester?

The University of Worcester was very pleased to welcome new exchange students from over 17 different countries across the globe last month. Students arrived in the UK to our Meet and Greet service at Birmingham Airport and an intensive Induction Programme to help them settle in to the University and the surrounding areas.

Exchange students here are always given a warm welcome and various opportunities to grow both personally and academically.

Every year the University hosts a welcome week for the new exchange students - this year consisted of various social events and workshops which helped them to relax and settle in. Throughout the welcome week, exchange students have the opportunities to tour our fantastic facilities as well as taking part in workshops to help them learn more about the support available to

students here at the University.

Various social events consist of icebreaker games, karaoke night and a ‘Have a Go Sports Afternoon’ which gave students the chance to try out some volleyball or wheelchair basketball which is such a big part of the culture here at the University of Worcester.

Jennifer Ultege, from Sweden, said: “Worcester is very nice and the staff are so friendly and helpful.”

Clare Murphy who has travelled all the way from Canada, said: “Worcester is a lovely place with lovely people! I am looking forward to getting to know more about the campus and the city.”

But of course the social events don’t just stop after the welcome week; Worcester is such a central place in the UK that we have the privilege of setting up some fantastic day trips. Already we have taken our new students to London, Edinburgh and York.

Future trips consist of Oxford, Stratfordupon-Avon (the birthplace of the great William Shakespeare) and Stonehenge.

If students are interested in becoming an exchange student here, what should they do?

The first thing you should consider is if our university offers the appropriate subject modules for the course you are taking.

You can get in touch with International Experience at internationalexperience@ worc.ac.uk or alternatively you are more than welcome to give us a call on +44 (0)1905 855146.

Exchange students settling in with some sport activities.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Drama students receive advice from Game of Thrones star Kit Harington University of Worcester Drama students recently received advice from a star of one of television’s most popular dramas.

Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow in HBO’s multi award-winning Game of Thrones, met a group of secondyear Drama students to discuss his meteoric rise to fame and to give tips to those who are interested in pursuing a career in the industry.

The 27-year-old actor is a former Worcester resident, and an ex-pupil of Alison Reeves, Course Leader in Drama & Performance at the University.

Alison explains: “We were delighted to be able to welcome Kit to the University, and students had the chance to ask him about different aspects of his career and the industry.

“Having taught Kit around a decade ago and followed his progress since, he is a fantastic example of someone who has put his heart and soul into his work and through skill, determination and hard work, has made a great success of himself.”

The actor, who has previously starred in the stage adaptation of War Horse and the 2014 historical epic Pompeii, spoke to a group of twenty students who have recently completed a Directed Public Performance module, which saw them each take on both acting and non-performance roles.

Half of the group staged an adaptation of Swallows and Amazons, while the other half put together The Gilded Remains, which was inspired by Game of Thrones.

One of the students who took part in the question and answer session with the actor was Brocken Rose. He explains: “It was insightful to get our questions answered by someone who could not only give us great advice, but was in a similar position to ourselves just a few years ago.”

Fellow student Harry Kettle adds: “It was an interesting experience to be able to learn about a variety of aspects of the acting business. Kit was insightful and genuinely interested in the questions that we asked.”

Cathedral Hosts Draw for Worcester’s Forthcoming European Wheelchair Basketball Championships The countdown to Worcester’s 2015 European Wheelchair Basketball Championships is well and truly underway after the city’s spectacular Cathedral welcomed local and international dignitaries for the tournament’s draw.

The Championships will take place at the University of Worcester Arena between August 28 and September 6, and will see Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams compete for the European titles – and a qualifying spot for the Rio 2016 Paralympics – in front of a home crowd.

All seven women’s teams – Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the Netherland’s - will play each other in a round-robin format in the group stages.

The twelve men’s teams found out their initial opponents in Friday’s draw, with Great Britain, who will be attempting to win a record-breaking third consecutive European title, being placed in Pool A along with Poland, Spain, the Czech Republic, France and Germany. Pool B is made up of the Netherlands, Turkey, 6 / FEBRUARY 2015 /

Israel, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy.

Friday’s draw also saw attendees at the Cathedral treated to a demonstration of wheelchair basketball. Sophie Carrigill, a University of Worcester student and captain of the Great Britain’s Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team, says: “The Cathedral was a great venue, and the event really proved how the entire city of Worcester will get behind the tournament and support us.”

Sophie and her Great Britain teammates, who won bronze at their last European Championships, stepped up their preparations the following week for when they travel to Japan to face Australia, Canada and Japan.

The Head of the University’s Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, Mick Donovan, is confident that the entire region will get behind the Championships.

international@worc.ac.uk

Basketball Demonstration at the Cathedral

“The attendance at the draw, and the huge crowds that we have seen for previous wheelchair basketball fixtures at the University Arena, prove that there is a fantastic appetite for this tournament.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

MATURE STUDENT’S STORY IS MADE INTO A FILM White Raven Films independent production companies are set to start filming ‘A Gift From War’, written by Andrew Owens, in April next year.

The feature length film is about a former soldier who is troubled by his experiences in Afghanistan, but discovers salvation by saving his deceased friend’s sister from a life of domestic abuse. Andrew, a former toolmaker, is currently in the second year of a Joint Honours degree in Creative & Professional Writing and Screenwriting at the University of Worcester.

“I feel very excited about this project and had never imagined that I would have the opportunity to write a film script,” says the 43-year-old. “I had always pictured myself as a writer of short novels. White Raven Films have also asked me to be on set for filming. I can hardly wait to see a story of mine being made into a film!”

Andrew, who was born in Toronto, in Canada, grew up on a farm in Cookstown, Ontario and moved to Worcester in May 1996. He was approached by White Raven Films following a previous documentary he was involved in.

“White Raven Films were filming a documentary of the Boars Head Pub in Kidderminster,” Andrew explains.

“Heather Wastie, who organises a poetry, music and spoken word event there, put my name forward as someone they should use in the documentary. I met with them and recited a poem I’d written, which they subsequently used in their documentary.”

Andrew chose to study here after visiting an Open Day. “I had visited the University of Worcester during an Open Day and had found out that there was a Creative & Professional Writing course, which I had always wanted to do,” he says. “I had also been asked at that time if I would write a script for White Raven.

As soon as I discovered that I could do Joint Honours in Screenwriting, I filled out an application immediately.”

Andrew Owens

TOP AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE WITH UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER STUDENTS

The University welcomes Professor Michael Iwama

Professor Michael Iwama, Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Georgia Regents University in America, spoke to students and local Occupational Therapists in December about helping people to adjust to new ways of living when they experience health issues.

Dr Yvonne Thomas, Course Leader for the University of Worcester’s BSc in Occupational Therapy, said: “Our course is among the newest Occupational Therapy courses in the country and is fast gaining a reputation for innovation and contemporary educational practice. Professor Iwama’s visit to Worcester was an acknowledgement of that growing reputation and of the quality of the course, which offers small class sizes and part-time professional practice placements.”

Professor Iwama, recognised author of the KAWA Model of Occupational Therapy, said he was thrilled to visit the new programme and shared with students his vision “to enable people from all streams of life to engage and participate in the activities and processes of daily living that matter.”

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

More research needed into the experiences of children in military families, says Worcester Psychologist

University unveils plans to help increase opportunities for young entrepreneurs

In the wake of Remembrance Day and the commemorations of the centenary of WWI, leading psychologist Dr Gabriela Misca has called for more research into the experience of children growing up in military families.

The University of Worcester recently completed the purchase of a number of buildings - formerly owned by the City Council and situated a stone’s throw from the Business School’s City Campus base, which will now be renovated and will provide a home for budding entrepreneurs.

Children whose parents serve in the armed forces contend with a wide range of challenges, including regular Dr Gabriela Misca relocations and school moves, coping with having a parent away for extended periods, and sometimes the effects of the loss or injury of a parent during service.

At an event at the University’s City Campus held in December, the Business School unveiled plans for a Business Incubator Unit, which will aid students who are actively involved in setting up their own businesses.

The Worcester Business School has launched ambitious plans to help some of the best young business brains.

Proposals for the new facility, which is also set to house the University’s Language Centre and increased office space, include the creation of the University Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Creation.

Tim Maxfield, the Worcester Business School’s Director of Business Development, spoke at the event, saying: “The Business Incubator Unit will be much more than bricks and mortar; it will be a dynamic, nurturing environment which will actively seek to support young entrepreneurs.”

Dr Gabriela Misca said: “Children and adolescents of military parents are a diverse population around the globe.

However, compared to the general population of children and young people, they face a range of unique stressors due to their particular family circumstance; these include parental separation during deployment, additional stress of the left-at home parent and family, deployed parent injury and death, and reintegration stress, including health issues and war-related trauma of the returning parent.

Such stressors can bring wide-ranging challenges to the adjustment and wellbeing of military children.”

Dr Misca said there had been heightened interest in recent times about the wellbeing of military personnel and veterans, and the need to support their transition and resettlement into civilian life. However, she said there was a distinctive gap in UK research about the impact of this transition on the children of those military personnel.

“There are some inherent barriers in attempting to understand the circumstances and experience of this group of children and young people. Among these are the lack of centrally held UK statistics and the absence of an agreed definition of the ‘service child’.”

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international@worc.ac.uk

Plans unveiled at Worcester Business School

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

University awards latest round of extra-curricular scholarships The University of Worcester has awarded almost £20,000 worth of funds to students via the first round of its extra-curricular scholarship programme for this academic year.

Alice explains: “Many Worcester students have been to Madagascar on similar trips before, and listening to them The University, in addition to awarding talk about their own entry, academic and sports scholarships, experiences inspired invites students to apply for an extrame to want to go and curricular scholarship twice a year. work with the children Students can be awarded up to out there. It will give £1,000 to assist with costs incurred me a great opportunity by taking part in voluntary projects, to help the children Alice Underhill teaching in Madagascar either in the UK or abroad, or pursuing and also put my a past-time or interest in areas teaching skills to use.” such as sport, music or the arts.

John Ryan MBE, who The University awarded 53 extraThe first round of this year’s sits on the University’s Scholarship curricular scholarships, during the applications, which closed on Panel, says “We want our students to 2013/14 academic year, totaling December 1, led to 22 scholarships excel in every area during their time £26,485. The next deadline for students being awarded, totalling £17,810. with us, and we are committed to to apply for a scholarship is February 28. supporting them academically and with Among those to be awarded a To find out more about the Scholarships the many worthwhile extra-curricular scholarship was Alice Underhill, who on offer from the University of activities with which they are involved.” was awarded funds to assist with Worcester, visit our website. a trip to Madagascar, during which the Primary Education student will be teaching local children.

New book explores slavery and colonialism in Sierra Leone Professor Suzanne Schwarz’s latest book, Slavery, Abolition and the Transition to Colonialism in Sierra Leone, co-edited with Professor Paul Lovejoy, was launched at the 57th Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association in Indianapolis, Indiana, last month.

The book draws together the research of leading scholars on Sierra Leone and examines the importance of the colony as a site of British abolitionist intervention in West Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. It analyses the development of the colony as a multi-ethnic settlement on the upper Guinea coast, and the repercussions of British colonial intervention from the late eighteenth century onwards.

Professor Suzanne Schwarz

Albert Moore, Senior Government Archivist at the Sierra Leone Public Archives, said the book would help in evaluating Sierra Leone’s past and present for purposes of socio-economic development.

In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), more than 50% of research in History at the University of Worcester was found to be world-leading or internationally excellent. The submission included Professor Schwarz’s research in Sierra Leone.

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