Mentoring program for the integration of International students into higher education
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abstract
In an increasingly global world, many students seek learning and training experiences in institutions other than those where they started their higher education courses. These students, when attending an institution different from their own, in a new geographical and cultural context that is also different, have to overcome difficulties associated with that context and the multiple dimensions that the environment of each higher education institution involves. The main objective of this article is to evaluate the perceptions of international students about a program to support their reception and integration, which is part of a mentoring program developed and implemented by
a Portuguese higher education Institution, covering various dimensions of the Institution, namely degree of satisfaction with the way they were received by the Institution, the Interaction with colleagues, technological, scientific and pedagogical terms, and with the city where the Institution is located. Among the characteristics of the program to support the reception and integration of international students, a set of pre-scheduled recreational, pedagogical and scientific activities, with a duration of one week, accompanied by mentors and professors of the Institution, stand out. With 149 international students enrolled in the activities in the 2nd semester of the 2021/2022 academic year, 59 students participated in this study, which constitutes the study's sample. The study is essentially quantitative in nature, assuming in some situations characteristics close to qualitative approaches. Data were obtained using a questionnaire administered online. From the features of the sample, it is highlighted that ages range from 20 to 28 years old, with an average of 23 years old, belonging to 12 countries, with the majority of students from Brazil (75%). From the results obtained, it is highlighted that more than 80% of the students expressed to be satisfied, or very satisfied, with the way they were received by the Institution, with the facilities, with the meals in the canteen, with the school they attend, with the course and security in the city. On the other hand, they consider aspects that need improvement, as less than 50% of students were satisfied or totally satisfied with the Institution's IT platforms, accommodation and transport in the city.
