TO: Team International Week Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

FROM : zge Levent & Lisa Braat

DATE : 31 January 2015
SUBJECT: Student ambassadors International Week

Internationalization is becoming more and more important to our daily life and in
education. Through the usage of the internet, borders have disappeared around
the world and as result we are living in a global village.
During International Week, the students will be presented various possibilities
that there are for studying abroad. Guest speakers have been invited from
different countries to present and share their knowledge and experience to the
students at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. This will be a great
opportunity for the students to expand their knowledge on professional
international communication.
As a part of the upcoming International Week, a group of HR students have been
selected to serve as student ambassadors to receive the guests and give them a
brief orientation around HR facilities as well as a few tourist highlights in the
immediate vicinity of Wijnhaven.
The student ambassadors are looking forward to the International Week. The
selected student ambassadors have indicated that they have problems with the
English spoken language, that can be problem of their capability to communicate
on a formal and professional level with the guests. For some of the ambassadors
this may be the first time they have had to interact on a professional capacity
with people from outside of the Netherlands. The students not only have
problems with the English language but also have been getting very anxious of
guiding the international guests because of this reason.
Despite of the international character of the metropolis Rotterdam, the English
skills from a few student ambassadors are not on a level that match with the
international standards. Therefore the students are demotivated to be
ambassadors for the International Week. Also this problem can be dangerous for
the image of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences it might create a negative
image of the quality of the English courses on our schools. This problem asks for
new measurements, this short report will give several solutions to the problem
and an action plan we strongly recommend.
For Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences the International Week can be a
great opportunity to promote our school and the students. We want to create a
good image and increase our international collaborations.
A survey to help prepare for the International Week has been made and held
across student ambassadors from this year and the last. They have been asked to
give tips to prepare for the International Week and what could have been better
organized last year (if it were the ambassadors from last year). This will help us
make a better International Week in the future.

Based on the survey that has been held a few solutions have come up that can
be an opportunity for the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences;

A Business English course;

The students will be getting a business course in the language of English. This
will motivate the students to speak English on an advanced level. For example;
how they communicate, which words are the best use and what information is
relevant to communicate with the guests.
Presentations by student ambassadors of last year;
The students will be given presentations by student ambassadors of last year.
They can give tips and tops about the International Week. The students will have
a better image of the tasks they have to fulfil and what they can expect during
the International week.
A 4-day trip to England;
The students will be travelling to England to learn more about international
cultures and the English language. They will be visiting English Universities and
cultural heritage. As English is the main language this offers a good opportunity
to discover and practice speaking new English vocabulary. This trip will provide
the students with a better English vocabulary and the students will be getting
used to speaking English. This will ensure a better result of the student
ambassadors during the International week in Rotterdam.
The International week will be held in 3 weeks. The selected student
ambassadors indicated having problems with the English spoken language. To
solve this matter there has been held a survey across the student ambassadors
of this year and last. There are a few solutions that have come up during the
process. Considering the amount of time there is left and the possible solutions
the ambassadors proposed we made an action plan, that is feasible for the time
that is still left. Because the solutions have been provided by the student
ambassadors themselves the solutions are well fitted to solve the problem. The
action plan is the best solution and course of effect to follow to get the students
proper abilities and experiences they need to prepare themselves for the
International Week.
ACTION PLAN

1ST Week

2nd Week

3rd Week

The student ambassadors

of last year will be asked
to prepare a presentation.
The student ambassadors
of last year will present
their presentations and
give tips and tops to the
students ambassadors of
this year.
Find a professional to give
the Business English
course.

The students will be

getting a Business
English course and will
be prepared for the trip.

The students will be

travelling to England
for an educational
experience and a better
practice for their
spoken English.
The students will be
getting the last
information about their
tasks during the
International Week and
evaluate the
educational experience
and what they have
learned.