Well-being & Inclusion
International Student Integration Check-In
An international student integration check-in is a friendly conversation with a student who has come from another country to study. Arriving means more than learning a new course: language, paperwork, housing, food, and building a social circle all happen at once. These questions help you hear how the student is settling in, what is blocking them and which services could help.
16 questions
When to use this template
- Two to four weeks after arrival, once the first paperwork and the first classes have happened.
- At the end of the first semester, when the initial excitement has faded and practical difficulties show.
- When the student's results, attendance or participation change after a period of adjustment.
Questions to ask
Arrival and daily life
- 01How have your first weeks here been?
- 02How are you finding housing, transport and daily practicalities?
- 03What is the biggest difference compared with studying in your home country?
- 04What has surprised you most, in a good way or a difficult one?
Language and learning
- 05How comfortable do you feel following classes in the teaching language?
- 06In which situations is language the hardest, such as lectures, group work or written assignments?
- 07How do you find the way teaching and assessment work here?
- 08Would extra language support or study methods sessions be useful to you?
Administration
- 09Which administrative steps have you completed, and which are still pending?
- 10Is there a procedure that is unclear to you, such as registration, insurance or a bank account?
- 11Do you know which office to go to for questions about your residence or student status?
Belonging and support
- 12Have you met people here, in class or outside, with whom you feel comfortable?
- 13Do you take part in student activities or associations, and would you like to?
- 14How do you stay in touch with family and friends back home, and how does that feel?
- 15What one thing would help you feel more at home here?
- 16Do you know the international office, the student services and where to find them?
Tips for a useful conversation
- Speak slowly, use simple words and check understanding gently, as the student may be working in a second or third language.
- Do not ask about immigration status, finances or personal circumstances beyond what the student chooses to share.
- Avoid assumptions about the student's culture or country: ask what is true for this person.
- Refer questions about visas and residence permits to the international office or competent authorities, not to guesses.
- Say clearly that homesickness is common and that the institution's counselling and student services are there for everyone.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating every international student as having the same background and needs.
- Reading language difficulties as a lack of ability or of effort.
- Only meeting international students when there is a problem.
- Giving advice on visas or legal status that the institution is not qualified to give.
Let Passisto Students hold these conversations
The AI agent holds regular voice check-ins with your students and flags those who need help, so advisors can act early.