Lincoln Kayiwa

TOKYOwiki

Tutoring at the University of Art and Design Helsinki Lincoln Kayiwa

I chose to apply as a student tutor for reasons ranging from just sheer interest to more concrete reasons such as giving a hand to the exchange students – academic related or otherwise (such as getting a bank account, the best night clubs et cetera).

As a former exchange student here, I had to find my way around the campus and also the city: I realized later that it can be annoying to have to spend more time doing something that would take far less time and effort doing had someone given me a hand…Efficiency!

Regarding the reasons for the being a student tutor, the office did a marvellous job covering the main pointers, including:

- Facilitating learning

- Improving my organising skills and getting new experiences

- To integrate seamlessly into the institutional culture of TaiK

- Support in study related issues if and when needed

- To help students to formulate their study goals

- To help students to make their study choices

- To support and facilitate progress of studies

New students should be contacted immediately at the beginning of their studies.

The teacher tutor should have one-on-one appointment with each student to go through their expectations, interests and even fears related to the beginning of theirs studies.

Basic tasks

- Reception of new students and presentation of TaiK, studies and the study culture

- Acting as a sponsor for new students at the beginning of their studies

- Organising informal activities for the whole group as requested

- Acting as moral support in problem situations

International tutor specialises in international degree students and exchange students. International tutoring demands special efforts as it demands interaction with students having different cultural backgrounds. International tutor needs good language skills, flexibility and ability to tell clearly about studies, study culture and issues related to everyday life already during the first meeting.

International tutor’s tasks

- Ensure a smooth start for international students when they arrive in a new country, culture and university

- Advise in practical matters give guidance in study practices

- Introduce services offered by TaiK

- Offer moral support

Tutoring plan

- Participate in the training sessions

- Consider how much time I need and how I allot it

- Figure out whose help I will be needing

- List the issues you want to take up with students

Planning in teams

- Discuss together with other tutors what is essential and what is not

- Prioritise issues you will take up

- Agree on the division of labour

- Draft an operation plan

Tutoring – follow-up

- Fix a time when I may be contacted

– Check whether further group meetings are needed

- Be always available when someone needs help

Introduction of TaiK to the new students

FACILITIES

Own degree programme/School

Staff

Teacher Tutors

Programme Coordinators (“amanuensis”)

Studio and other facilities

Notice boards

University on the whole

Other programmes /Schools

Central Administration

Study Services

Library

Special Units (Designium, Lume etc.)

Cafeterias

Student Union

Tokyo Office

Tokyo Staff

ISSUES

Programme’s/School’s internal issues

Getting Certificate of Attendance

Passkey

Ordering the Student Card

Meeting the Teacher tutor

Personal Study plan (“HOPS”)

Teaching schedule for the 1st year

Study counselling

Teacher tutors

Student tutors

Study Affairs Services

Other study services

FSHS (Student Health Service)

Student discounts

Student sport services

Accommodation