In the national concept of development of Latvian higher education and higher education institutions for 2013-2020 internationalization of higher education is indicated as a priority within the framework of modernization of higher education system, at the same time without losing its strategic link with issues of the state development and competitiveness.
Internationalization as a priority
In the publication by Frank Kraushaar and Maija Veide "Higher Education Internationalization in Latvia?`` which has been developed as a result of implementation of the project of central Baltic Sea region (CBSR) states "Expat: innovative services for attraction of international talents - convenient approach for CBSR``, it is emphasized that the complex bureaucratic process for receiving residence and work permit for third-country nationals is frequently mentioned as one of the most significant challenges of higher education internationalization. The second problematic segment related to internationalization could be defined as internal or subjective aspects. The major of these aspects could be the language barrier, social and household differences, and services necessary for solving these problems.
The research authors think that, if internationalization is included in a targeted strategy of higher education development and it is implemented as a national priority not only as a side-effect for integration in the EU, it could give significant contribution in improving the quality and raising competitiveness of Latvian higher education institutions.
Experience of higher education institutions in cooperating with foreign nationals
Zane Purlaura, the deputy director of the Foreign Student Department of Riga Technical University (RTU) states that study-willing people come to Latvia from other countries already since 1991 and mainly these have been and still are third-country nationals. Initially, nationals of Lebanon came here, whereas after joining the EU and implementation of changes in the entry procedure in Latvia recently we also have students from Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan), as well as from Azerbaijan, India, Russia.
When answering the question whether and to what extent employees and teaching staff of RTU are prepared for mutual communication with representatives of different cultures, Z. Purlaura asserts that there have been no serious misunderstandings or disagreements.
"We have extensive experience , because our employees have acquired skills of intercultural communication, during courses at the Latvian School of Public Administration. We also organize similar courses at the RTU Career Centre,`` tells Z. Purlaura and adds that the most frequent problem in working with third-country students is their clumsiness concerning some issues. For example, failure to read an agreement completely or misunderstood conditions of agreement, delayed submission of documents, thereby violating terms of residence permit. "Then they are puzzled why they have to pay a penalty to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Partially we explain all misunderstandings with the fact that they have always been cared for by their parents, but now they are alone in an unknown country and they have to undertake all the responsibility themselves,`` concludes Z. Purlaura. However, to dispel the helplessness we have long ago established a system and order that students of senior years meet foreign students at the airport, accompany them to the student dormitory, help to buy a SIM card, open a bank account etc., so we provide sufficient support.
The deputy director of the Foreign Student Department explains that support units are ensured both to Latvian and foreign students. They are represented in the Students Parliament, they have the Career Centre available, an opportunity to engage in extra curricular activities - doing sports etc.
"Concerning integration opportunities there are a lot of things offered for them to be able to do it. Sports games are particularly unifying, for example, we have created Nigerian, Uzbek and Kazakh football teams, and also mixed teams where players from different countries, of course, also from Latvia, have joined to play together. We also organize various commonwealth games and thematic evenings at the RTU sports complex,`` reveals Z. Purlaura. In order to get to know closer the nature and culture of Latvia, foreign students have annual two-day trip to one of the regions - Vidzeme, Kurzeme.
Have you ever had to solve any intercultural misunderstandings? Z. Purlaura admits that, of course, such misunderstandings occur because these young people come from different families, other culture and environment, however, it doesn`t impede to get on well and cooperate. She indicates: ``Within the framework of exchange of experience we have visited all native countries of our students so we can understand why they are speaking and behaving exactly in this way.``
Voldemars Bariss (Voldemārs Bariss), head of the International Cooperation Centre of the Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU), tells that concerning third-country nationals (now also from "Erasmus+`` partner countries) in the LLU there are only exchange students from Kazakhstan who have received scholarship from Kazakhstan government. In this year of studies there have been 37 such students.
``Currently, we don`t have full-time students from third countries, but we are working intensively to have them.
LLU participates in the ``Erasmus`` mobility program since 1999 and it has been awarded the Erasmus University Chart which is a guarantee for ensuring high quality of mobility. Coordinators of LLU International Cooperation Centre and lecturers have sufficient experience of communication for working with foreign students,`` admits V. Bariss, adding that on a daily basis foreign students receive advice and practical help from external communications coordinators in their faculties. We organize trips for students, they participate in cultural events together with local students, they have allowed time for sports activities in the Sports house.
From where your teaching staff acquires knowledge to ensure successful intercultural communication process? The head of the LLU International Cooperation Centre reveals that main resources for improvement of work with foreign students are activities of exchange of experience with other Latvian higher education institutions, and international forums of external communications coordinators where we strive to find and adopt the best practice.
Although significant problems concerning intercultural communication haven`t occurred because our staff understands specifics of perception of the world and behaviour of representatives of other cultures, some peculiarities have been observed while working with Kazakh students. V. Bariss explains: "One has to show them precisely and in details what and how to do. They are not used to take the initiative themselves; we are accustomed that everything is done in time and precisely, whereas for them such work discipline requirements are not customary; foreign students, especially from southern countries are joyful and more temperamental than Latvians, persons on duty and commandants of our student dormitories not always understand them; on the household level the language barrier is little bit impeding.``
Representatives of the Department of Academic and Foreign Affairs of Riga Stradins University (RSU) inform that, currently, in RSU there are in total 53 students from Albania, Israel, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Canada, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Russia, Georgia, USA, Turkey, Hong Kong, Nepal, Egypt and Kazakhstan. Most of them study medicine, some - dentistry.
Difficulties in contact become apparent as longer solving of some issues than it should be necessary. In most cases problem issues are of household nature or related to formalities for residing in Latvia. As representatives of the department indicate such cases are rare and basically they arise due to differences of culture and mentality. In their opinion, a significant role in this situation is also played by the culture shock which some students have to face when coming to Riga.
During each admission of students, RSU ensures mentors, who are current RSU students both from Latvian and foreign student streams, to all new foreign students, also to citizens of the EU and the EEA member states. Already before arrival of foreign students mentors contact them and after their arrival help them to get to know Riga and the university. This program is aimed to reduce culture shock, thereby also promoting easier making oneself at home in a new country.
In addition, the RSU organizes the orientation week, during which students are getting acquainted to the study process, as well as Latvian culture and lifestyle. These activities have a preventive nature in order to potentially avoid problems which students may encounter. Foreign students also receive regular support from responsible structural units which they can address at any time with any questions about studies and concerning household issues.
When answering to the question on where and how they have acquired the respective knowledge, representatives of the Department of Academic and Foreign Affairs of the RSU reveal that, in their opinion, practical experience is the best way to acquire and better understand other cultures and how to work with them more efficiently. The large number of foreign students gives a chance to see different cultures and types of people, allowing to gain this so needed experience in order to make communication even more efficient with each subsequent admission of new students.
It is planned that within the project "Improvement of Interinstitutional and Intersectoral Cooperation on Working with Third-Country Nationals`` the following activities will be implemented:
- On 8-10 April the training "Improvement of Competence of Pedagogic and Administrative Staff of Higher Education Institutions and Colleges in Working with Third-Country Nationals`` will take place;
- For creating a mutual dialogue among the pedagogic and administrative staff of higher education institutions and colleges, students who are third-country nationals, and specialists (consultants) on 15 April in the premises of RTU at 22 Āzenes Street (11th floor conference room) there will be organized a "Discussion / Contact fair`` the main goal of which will be to understand the opinion of each involved party on the existing situation and working with third-country nationals in higher education institutions and colleges, as well as to develop recommendations for higher education institutions on working with third-country students.
The project is (co)funded by the European Union. Implementation of the project “Improvement of interinstitutional and intersectoral cooperation on working with third-country nationals” is co-funded by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals (75%) and from the state budget (25%). This publication has been prepared with the support of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals. Society “Shelter “Safe House”” is responsible for the content of this publication.
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