1. International work based learning
opportunities have a positive impact
on student employability
For the past five years students from the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
have been able to go on an international placement, predominantly to under
resourced countries, for 4 to 12 weeks.
52 students have taken up this opportunity and on return have summarised the skills and
attributes they have gained:
Contact
Corinna Klaentschi
Faculty Placement Development Officer
Health & Life Sciences, York St John University E: c.klaentschi@yorksj.ac.uk T: 01904 876817
Personal and professional development
Working and living in another country is challenging and requires self-directed learning and autonomy.
Personal values and beliefs
Working and living in another country challenges personal beliefs, values and norms enhancing
awareness of how you perceive others.
Global Citizen
Working and living in another country encourages cultural consciousness, cultural knowledge and
cultural sensitivity.
Communication skills
Working and living in another country develops communication skills including observation skills
relating to nonverbal cues.
Creativity and innovation
Working and living in another country develops creative problem solving skills and innovative thinking.
Flexibility and adaptability
Working and living in another country requires navigating new systems and approaches which
develops an awareness and appreciation of differences including management styles and business
structures.
Project management skills
Managing time and budgets before and during an international placement develops relevant
lifelong skills.
Regardless of their undergraduate course, all graduates have confirmed that their experience played a
pivotal role in gaining employment.
Regardless of their undergraduate course, all graduates believe that the skills gained are equally
relevant and transferable to the UK.
Regardless of their undergraduate course, all graduates believe that due to being more culturally
aware they are better equipped to work in multicultural UK.
Regardless of their undergraduate course, all graduates believe that the challenges they had to face
have increased their independence and confidence to search for diverse employment opportunities.
Regardless of their undergraduate course, all graduates acknowledge that they could have gained
similar skills in the UK but would not have had the chance of a life time.