Adjustment Course for International Students: Orientation, Survival Skills, and Community Engagement
Course code
YMK6001.YM
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Kohanemiskursus välisüliõpilastele: orientatsioon, ellujäämisoskused ja kogukonna elus osalemine
Course title in English
Adjustment Course for International Students: Orientation, Survival Skills, and Community Engagement
ECTS credits
6.0
Assessment form
assessment
lecturer of 2024/2025 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
lecturer of 2025/2026 Autumn semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
The course aims to provide students with the tools and resources they need to succeed both academically and socially while promoting cultural exchange and personal growth. More speocifically, the aims of the course include:
1. Familiarizing students with university life: Help international students understand the academic environment, resources, and expectations at the university to ensure a smooth transition into their studies.
2. Introducing local culture and environment: Provide essential knowledge about local customs, traditions, and everyday life to help international students adapt to their new surroundings.
3. Equipping students with survival skills: Offer practical skills for living in a new country, including how to manage finances, transportation, healthcare, and other essential aspects of daily life.
4. Promoting social integration and community involvement: Encourage students to engage in community projects, fostering a sense of belonging and connection with both the local community and fellow international students.
5. Enhancing intercultural communication: Support students in developing cultural awareness and communication skills to interact effectively in both academic and social settings.
1. Familiarizing students with university life: Help international students understand the academic environment, resources, and expectations at the university to ensure a smooth transition into their studies.
2. Introducing local culture and environment: Provide essential knowledge about local customs, traditions, and everyday life to help international students adapt to their new surroundings.
3. Equipping students with survival skills: Offer practical skills for living in a new country, including how to manage finances, transportation, healthcare, and other essential aspects of daily life.
4. Promoting social integration and community involvement: Encourage students to engage in community projects, fostering a sense of belonging and connection with both the local community and fellow international students.
5. Enhancing intercultural communication: Support students in developing cultural awareness and communication skills to interact effectively in both academic and social settings.
Brief description of the course
The course includes the following activities and covers the following topics:
• participation in orientation week seminars and workshops, which cover the following topics:
- introduction to Tallinn University, available services (Student Support Center, student organizations), studies and information systems, library
- healthcare and safety in Estonia
- working in Estonia, International House services
- intercultural communication and ethical norms
* participation in practical workshops at the beginning of the semester (local food, clothes, communication, intercultural differences, everyday life)
* participation in a seminar introducing Estonian history and culture
* participation in a community practice project
• participation in orientation week seminars and workshops, which cover the following topics:
- introduction to Tallinn University, available services (Student Support Center, student organizations), studies and information systems, library
- healthcare and safety in Estonia
- working in Estonia, International House services
- intercultural communication and ethical norms
* participation in practical workshops at the beginning of the semester (local food, clothes, communication, intercultural differences, everyday life)
* participation in a seminar introducing Estonian history and culture
* participation in a community practice project
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- has an understanding of university life and is able to identify key academic resources, services, and expectations at the university, demonstrating the ability to navigate the academic environment effectively;
- possesses knowledge of local culture and environment, local customs, traditions, and everyday practices, and is able to apply this knowledge to adapt to the new surroundings and interact appropriately in social contexts;
- has developed essential practical survival skills, such as managing finances, using public transportation, accessing healthcare, and handling other aspects of daily life in Estonia;
- has actively engaged in community life and related projects, demonstrating a strong sense of belonging and the ability to build connections with both local residents and fellow international students;
- has enhanced ability to communicate effectively across cultures, showing increased cultural awareness and sensitivity in both academic and social settings.
- has an understanding of university life and is able to identify key academic resources, services, and expectations at the university, demonstrating the ability to navigate the academic environment effectively;
- possesses knowledge of local culture and environment, local customs, traditions, and everyday practices, and is able to apply this knowledge to adapt to the new surroundings and interact appropriately in social contexts;
- has developed essential practical survival skills, such as managing finances, using public transportation, accessing healthcare, and handling other aspects of daily life in Estonia;
- has actively engaged in community life and related projects, demonstrating a strong sense of belonging and the ability to build connections with both local residents and fellow international students;
- has enhanced ability to communicate effectively across cultures, showing increased cultural awareness and sensitivity in both academic and social settings.
Teacher
Ingrid Hinojosa
Additional information
The courses is intended only for international students (exchange and/or degree students)