UK Culture, a new Video web resource Loughborough University

2. About Loughborough
Loughborough is a medium sized campus based university with a
student population of 16,000 which includes an international
cohort of 4,500.
With a history of working to develop an internationalised
experience for all our students Loughborough creates an
environment where sampling new experiences are encouraged.
This was highlighted by Loughborough Students‘ Union being
award the Best International Students’ Union by the NUS in 2009.

3. We have a highly developed
award winning media centre
and do both student TV work
and commercial contracts.
An example of our work for
the University International
office are the student profiles
which are currently on their
website and have gained
great reviews from our
students.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/profiles/index.htm

4. From our experiences and discussions with
other groups involved with International
Students we felt there was a lack of
resource for students to see other students
talking about their experiences to reduce
the level of culture shock on arrival.
This background combined with a strong
working relationship with Southampton SU
enabled us to apply for funding for creating
a new web resource showing new students
what to expect from life in the UK

5. EU/Rest of World Differences
Different areas of the world have different understanding of UK culture and
come with different impressions/understanding which were very apparent so
does need to be considered in each of the following aspects
Culture
Daytime hours (as student 9/10 am wake up bed at 3am is common)
Food and Eating, Personal Space, Use and meaning of language
Respect of other nationalities and faiths (can be really good or really bad need
to be equipped for both), Campus living and City living, Working while studying
Clothing, Weather considerations, temperature, rain, wind, TV Licence
Road Safety
Pavements, Crossing Roads, Cycling safety (inc not cycling on pavements)
Driving Licence (international licence only valid for 3 months), Insurance
Parking, Road Marking (double yellow double red lines etc)
Focus Group Feedback

6. Authorities
Police (safety, closing windows locking doors), International registration &
Police registration, Local Council – Council Tax exemption, University Security –
not actually police but do have a level of authority, NHS/Hospitals
Student Support (academic & personal issues)
Teaching styles, Course requirements, Coursework formatting, Course
Interaction with academic staff, Language Support, Financial Support
Getting Involved
Key aspect to really enjoy your time
Often they have to make the first step and not to be scared of that
Students Union
Few countries have these so is worth explaining what we do and are here for as
can be confusing, Explain our independence from the University
Focus Group Feedback

7. UK Culture
Website

8. UK Culture
Internationalised site

9. The site is still a work in progress and we are
continually adding clips and amending content
so any feedback would be more than welcome
timbenford@lufbra.net
tsbenford
Tim Benford