Study Abroad Onsite staff

Working in study abroad international education for more than a decade, I have learned that a new generation of global citizens loves to travel and wants to experience new places, food, culture, and traditions. They have a strong attraction towards India and its diversity. However, the prime concerns of these students, parents, and study abroad providers are mostly about health, safety, and security and how to overcome the challenges for cultural adjustments while traveling to different countries.

 Taking all this into consideration, we have created a safe, secure, and hassle-free learning environment for these students. Our trained staff will teach them how to deal with cultural shock and how to overcome the challenges of cultural adjustments during the program and in onsite orientation. Our homestay families will introduce them to Indian Culture, family structure, and heritage. We also take care of expenses, planning, resources, and execution. 

For any study abroad student, onsite experience is the most important component as it creates a platform for the students prior to full immersion. Therefore, it is designed meticulously by study abroad professionals considering all safety guidelines. Guidance and mentoring done on-site is important for every student for a positive learning experience and are provided by the onsite staff, who are the main pillars for any study abroad program. 

Study abroad programs mainly focus on Pre-departure, onsite, and reentry to help the students adjust physically & emotionally in their new country. Predeparture starts before arrival on the program which introduces students to the visa process, immigration, program, academics, country, and culture in brief. These pre-departure orientations and handbooks will not much mean to students unless they are guided onsite. When students participate in study abroad programs, they have experiences and stories that can be life-changing. 

Onsite staff will cover all the areas and questions below including pre-departure orientation, onsite arrivals, and orientation, housing, etc. They prepare every aspect related to student and their safety. Read below a few areas of the tedious work they do. 

  Predeparture orientation - General Information about the program and onsite program 

- Housing 

- Academics

- Onsite staff 

- General logistics

 - Wifi and electricity 

- Health Safety & Security 

  Prep for onsite arrivals - Have the students reached safely? 

- Who will pick up the students at the airport? staff or local peer tutors or assistants? 

- Have the students informed their parents about the safe arrivals? 

- Have onsite staff informed your management team abroad or study abroad advisor or schools about students’ safe arrivals (within 24 hours of arrival)? 

- Do they need any food or water? who will supply it? 

- Is their passport safe and have they checked their immigration stamp?

 - Have they received all the baggage at the airport? If not or missing what are the next steps? 

- Have they settled in their respective accommodations? 

  Below are the different stages of onsite orientation provided by the staff to run the program smoothly. 

Topics covered in Onsite Orientation - General Information about the program and onsite office 

- Housing - Wifi and electricity

 - General logistics 

- Health Safety & Security

 - Intercultural differences (food, academics, dressing, behavior, etc.) 

- Dos and Don’ts in India/Hyderabad/program 

- Program/Local Rules and expectations 

Hope this is helpful. The next article will focus on the detailed information on the topics above. Wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year 2022.