London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has introduced an innovative approach to helping international students as they face the prospect of travelling thousands of miles to start a course.

During a series of special events, former students shared their experiences with people considering moving from Nigeria, Kenya or India to study in the heart of Bloomsbury. Alumni were able to provide firsthand advice and practical tips about life in London, describing it as feeling like the 'centre of the world' with better Southern Indian food than in Delhi as well as commenting on the weather and warning of the need for a map because Londoners “can’t be relied on to give good directions”. In one case students were advised not to fall in love as they were only going to be there for a year while another alumnus highlighted the importance of a comfortable pair of shoes for walking around the city.

The links were made possible after the School won a Pilot Project Award under a scheme run by the UK Council for International Student Affairs with funding from The Prime Minister’s Initiative for International Education. The project: 'Preparing international students for the British higher education experience: the role of Regional Alumni Hubs' has proved so successful that the School is using similar tactics at events in other countries later in the year. There are also plans for local alumni chapters to invite potential students to events to give them a chance to get advice from former students before they set off to Britain.

Under the scheme, Volunteer Alumni Ambassadors were appointed in Nigeria, Kenya and India. At events in those countries, the Ambassadors met students offered places at LSHTM and chatted about their experiences. Alumni also offered practical advice including visa issues, bank accounts, transport and housing, useful contacts, and places to visit, as well as advice as to how to get the most out of the educational opportunities available.

Head of Alumni Alice Perry says: “The project was very successful. Prospective students told us they really valued the interaction with alumni and felt supported, with some saying they would never have been able to come to the School if it wasn’t for the advice they received.

“We have students from more than 120 countries and alumni in more than 180 countries so this initiative has huge potential to boost learning and support across our international community. Although students receive excellent support when they arrive at the School, this gives them a fantastic opportunity to feel better prepared before they leave their home country and is an important part of improving the overall student experience.

“Feedback from the alumni surveys has shown graduates value what they learn from each other as much as what they learn from their teachers. The project has been fantastic for initiating peer to peer learning and support between the students and recent graduates.

“We are discussing the project with other universities as similar schemes could be developed and introduced elsewhere.”