Launching the LUMS transition guide scheme
Published 18 November 2011
In October 2011 LUMS launched a brand new initiative aimed to help international first-year students make an effective transition to higher education – the Transition Guide Scheme.
Adapting to university study can be challenging for all students, whatever their background, but especially so for international students who have not experienced a UK-style education before. The new scheme matches them with ‘guides’ who will work with them throughout the year.
The guides are second-year LUMS students, mainly from the same or similar degree programmes, who have recently made this transition themselves and are ideally qualified to help. They are all volunteers who have been specially trained for the role. The scheme is run by Gill Burgess, Academic Adviser for LUMS, and Alison Stowell, the scheme coordinator.
Each week in the autumn term the new students meet their guides to explore topics – suggested by the guides themselves – relating to effective study practices. The guides also recognise the importance of the scheme in helping the new students become part of LUMS and the wider University community, and will be encouraging them to get involved with all the activities and opportunities on offer at Lancaster.
Some of the guides are drawing upon this valuable mentoring experience to complete their Lancaster Award.
The scheme was launched with a special event to introduce its aims and structure to the new students. Everyone enjoyed an informal social occasion together, which concluded with a traditional English afternoon tea.
