Indian students ready to take off: Pre-departure briefings 2015

SIEM India delivered pre-departure sessions across nine cities in India addressed over 430 students who had received offers from UK institutions. During the pre-departure sessions we provided guidance to these students on how to prepare for an exciting, enlightening and culturally diverse student life in the UK.

These sessions were delivered in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chandigarh throughout the month of July. When compared to last year, there was 15% increase in the number of students that attended the pre-departure sessions.

Qatar Airways were our associate sponsors and they made a presentation highlighting the various travel discounts and offers for students at these sessions.

We welcomed parents as well and addressed their concerns, queries and anxieties of sending their kids to study abroad that would typically run through their minds.

The session at each city started with a welcome address and followed by a series of presentations that covered the following themes- preparing for the journey, travel, dealing with immigration, securing finances, sorting out accommodation and meals as well as completing medical formalities. Some of these sessions included advice from experts through multimedia presentations and videos. During each session we played GREAT videos which covered experiential talks from current students present in the UK.

The main highlight of pre-departure sessions were the presentation on ‘do and don’ts’ to be considered by students when they applying for a ‘student visa’ delivered by the UK Visas and Immigration colleagues. In some cities these sessions were delivered in face to face sessions while in others these were delivered through Skype.

Interactive and fun sessions with alumni in each city put students at ease as they discussed concerns around safety, accommodation, eating out, cultural shifts, amongst other things. This went on to be the most enjoyable session for the students.

In the cities of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chandigarh respective British Deputy High Commissioners were present to grace the occasion and gave an inspirational talk to students.
The sessions in each city concluded with hi-tea and networking.

To know more about the exciting pre-departure sessions and to understand some interesting facts from analysis of feedback forms of students who attended the pre-departure sessions, kindly download the complete report.