Home:
Work
And Study Abroad
Preparation: documentation/briefing handbooks/websites
As the web is fast becoming an information and pedagogic tool which can be accessed from around the world, it offers a number of possibilities for the student preparing to go on a period of residence abroad and for keeping in contact with the home institution and country whilst away.
Before they go, students going on work or study placements can use the web to research up to date information about the places in which they are going to be living and working. Students going on study placements, for example, may find information about courses at their host institution, about the campus, leisure activities, clubs, accommodation and transport. Future language assistants might find their school has web pages and those on work placements may well be able to find out about the structure of the company, its sphere of activity and other employees. All those travelling fairly close to home in Europe should be able to find out something about the region they are going to; maps, local newspapers and adverts, contact addresses, timetables and so on. Those travelling further afield might find web-based information patchy, but still useful in giving some insight into the country and culture that they will be visiting. All students might find that live or recorded Internet radio and TV, accessed through a digital tuner such as vTuner (downloadable from www.vtuner.com), gives a useful pre-taste of the country they will be visiting.
The web can also be used as a means of assembling information for students preparing to go away - visit the Rapport web site (www.hum.port.ac.uk/slas/rapport) which gives information for incoming students and links to countries and overseas universities. It can also be used as a means of communication for those abroad. This will probably be text-based communication but as the speed of Internet communications increase, the feasibility and quality of Internet videoconferencing will also increase (see www.hum.port.ac.uk/slas/rapport). Well-designed Residence Abroad web pages will set aside an area to give information about projects, essays and dissertations, important dates and imminent deadlines for students who are away, and, about course choices to be made before their return. A discussion forum might be set up so that they can make e-mail contact with each other and with their tutors. When students are about to return home, the web forum can be used as a bulletin board advertising flats, cars and other items (pets?) for those about to take their place.
E-mail and web access may be patchy in the host institution but the increase in Internet cafes all around the world means that all students can be encouraged to look for e-mail and log into their home institution on a regular basis.
Vicky Wright
27/09/99