{"id":204,"date":"2020-06-24T01:14:33","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T01:14:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/international\/?p=204"},"modified":"2020-07-14T04:49:02","modified_gmt":"2020-07-14T04:49:02","slug":"an-update-from-flinders-international","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/international\/2020\/06\/24\/an-update-from-flinders-international\/","title":{"rendered":"An update from Flinders International"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

We’ve been busy bees at Flinders University during the COVID19 crisis. Building a healthy online community is vital during this time, and the staff at Flinders International are dedicated to doing all they can to make students far from home, and those studying from home, feel part of the larger community.<\/p>\n

“We’ve tried to make it business as usual as much as possible,” says Jose Paulino, Manager of International Student Services<\/a>. “Everything is online via FLO, and we have an online hub which is updated regularly.\u201d Think recipes, online study tips, at-home entertainment ideas, and messages of support from other students in isolation.<\/p>\n

The university has also provided $12.5 million in scholarships and emergency financial support for students in need.<\/h5>\n

\u201cWe also host weekly Talk it out Sessions,\u201d says Jose. \u201cWe have an ISS member on hand and students can come online to the forum and discuss anything at all. How they are coping in isolation, their online studies, favourite recipes, ways to keep healthy \u2013 how their families are coping. It’s a great way to stay in touch and meet other students going through the same process.”<\/p>\n

\"Zinan
Zinan Wang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Zinan Wang, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)<\/a>, has found these sessions to be beneficial.<\/p>\n

“The ISS weekly emails that I have received have been cheerful and exciting,” she says. “I have been following their weekly activities and participated in their \u2018Talk it Out\u2019 sessions.” It was a welcome diversion during the lockdown, says Zinan.<\/p>\n

“I found it heart-warming to have a community that supports international students, and I know if I need support, I have a place to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alice Chen, International Student Services Officer, and Flinders alumna has been an active participant in building and managing the online support community.<\/p>\n

\"Alice
Alice Chen, Flinders International<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I know what it’s like to be an international student, far from home,” she says, reminiscing back to her student days. “In a time like this, it’s really important to stay connected to your community.”<\/p>\n

“Like most of our international students, I am thousands of miles away from my family,” says Alice. “I was feeling a bit scared, lonely, and uneasy at the beginning. This is unlike anything we have experienced in our lifetime.”<\/p>\n

\"Flinders
L-R: Suet Lan Chan, Rubayat Sarwar, Pei-Tzu Wu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This collective understanding inspired Alice to create a more inclusive, connective, and supportive online community for international students at Flinders University.<\/p>\n

“From creating online spaces for students to chat freely, and encouraging them to share their favourite recipes [see Alice’s dumpling recipe here<\/a>], to sharing personal artworks, poetry, and stories. It’s been really empowering. I’ve been warmed by the reception from our students.”<\/p>\n

\"Amber
Amber Guo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Students like Amber Guo<\/a>, studying Master of Social Work, have been grateful.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s been very interesting \u2013 and different \u2013 to say the least! I could not have gotten through without the wonderful teaching and support staff,” she says. \u201cI feel really grateful for the emergency support from Flinders University and the wider uni community during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a sentiment echoed by many students, including Ruixin Yang<\/a>, a fellow Master of Social Work<\/a> student from China.<\/p>\n

\u201cI received many emails from International Student Services, reminding me to join in all kinds of online activities,” he says. “But what amazed me \u2013 a lot \u2013 was that Flinders provided scholarships and an emergency package.<\/a> This was a tough period for international students, so I really appreciated these [actions].”<\/p>\n

\"Study
Ruixin Yang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Online study<\/h1>\n

It was a swift learning curve for many our students, international and domestic alike. But sharing of experiences, study tips, and an \u2018all in it together\u2019 attitude have helped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found the online study has been interesting,\u201d says\u00a0Olayinka Abioye,\u00a0a Master of\u00a0Civil Engineering<\/a> student\u00a0from Nigeria. \u201cIt has made me much more independent, and I have learnt to do a lot of things myself, while also improving my reading abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zinan found the switch to online had its own unique challenges too, but found keeping good habits made a real difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found I interacted differently with online studying,\u201d she says. \u201cI liked the functionality, and have been having a pretty good experience using the online tools.\u201d As for study tips, she found that \u201ckeeping regular contact with tutors and topic coordinators to ensure I was on the right track was essential.\u201d And she insists taking regular breaks is vital.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo outside, to have a walk every day to balance between study and life \u2013 and don\u2019t forget to contact friends and family members!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Olayinka
Olayinka Abioye<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Back to campus<\/h1>\n

With South Australia\u2019s restrictions easing, face-to-face teaching is resuming for Semester 2, July 2020. Of course, your health and welfare is our priority, and we\u2019re focused on proper hygiene and social distancing measures. If you\u2019re currently overseas, don\u2019t delay, you can still study with us starting the semester online in your home country with flexible study options, including an option for part time study. You can then join us full time on campus when our borders re-open.<\/p>\n