Experiences of Kenyan students in the UK

1. Experiences of Kenyan students in the UK a dispatch from the ‘front line’ Dr. Jane Ngarari

2. Expectations Families Culture shock Pre-arrival administration Separation reactions Cleaning jobs Unemployment Social support networks 20 hours of work Relationships Arrival procedures Security jobs Recruitment phase Homesickness Non-academic welfare provision Dietary restrictions Academic provision Financial Stress Language provision Social provision Academic problems Financial provision

3. Three stages of student experience: i) Getting in ii) Being here iii) Moving on

4. Getting in • B) On arrival; • Meet and greet • finding their way around • A) Pre-departure; • Recruitment agencies • Internet • Newspapers • Friends/Peers • Parents • Role Models

5. Students say... You need a person who is not interested in your recruitment to advise you. The universities are interested in selling their courses and will only tell you of the good side but not the down side of things. You are a potential customer. This did not only happen to me but to many students whom I have had the chance to meet since I came to the UK. They have told me that they wished someone cared enough to demystify the whole issue of studying in the UK. Maybe their decision could have been different.

6. Being here • Accommodation Experience • Shared private accommodation • University hostels – expensive and disruptive during holidays • New phenomenon of saving and abiding by contracts • Academic Experience • Different learning style • Seminars/oral presentations • Self directed learning rather than teacher led • Analytical rather than rote learning • Must be good in computer skills • Financial Experience • Self funded • Cannot find work easily • Balance work and study • Face unexpected costs • Social-withdrawal Experience • Adaptation and integration • Language barriers (accents) • Homesick

7. Students say... I found myself in financial shock which is an understatement. During recruitment no one mentioned that the cost of everything in the UK, from the bills, accommodation, tuition fees, transport is increased on an annual basis. I felt completely cheated and misinformed. I thought that this information was kept away from me to make sure that I did not change my mind about taking up the admission offer. The money that we were to pay for tuition fees and living expenses was not realistic as none of the other unanticipated costs were ever mentioned to us. The cost went up every year. The rest is history, I dropped out.

8. Moving on Two cards for graduation To leave or to stay? Job searching

9. Impact of experiences on students: • Negative • High drop out rates • Extended periods of study • Lack of commitment to studies • Misuse of freedom and independence • Inability to balance work and study How can we enhance a positive student experience? • Positive • Independent • Self reliant • Decisive • Learn to socially adapt • Become more resilient

10. Manage student transition from Kenya to UK Establish a network of Kenyan students in the UK and alumni in Kenya. Establish a Kenyan student organization in the UK Organize recruitment drives in the UK Re-establish the office of the Education Attaché in the UK

11. BRAIN GAIN not BRAIN DRAIN