Transitioning to a remote campus can be challenging for students, particularly when English is not their primary language. Many face anxiety about social integration and the ability to articulate their needs, which can become more pronounced during the information-heavy Orientation Week. The English Immersion Program (EIP) addresses these challenges by offering structured support for students with limited English exposure.
Key objectives include:
- Enhancing comfort and proficiency in English across various contexts.
- Exposing students to diverse accents and communication styles.
- Familiarising them with academic, student, and residential life.
- Introducing a campus layout to reduce vulnerability.
- Connecting students with adult mentors for guidance.
- Clarifying available support systems.
- Facilitating the formation of friendships and support networks.
The EIP aims to effectively integrate participants into the MUWCI community and boost their confidence as English speakers.
EIP isn’t about fixing English. EIP is about giving confidence, tools, and time to prepare. It is a mix of language learning, cultural exploration, and community building. Grammar sessions, creative activities like storytelling and poetry, campus tours and meeting key people who will support. But most importantly, it is a time and a space given to adjust, to make friends, to ask questions without feeling rushed, and to prepare mentally and emotionally for the whole MUWCI experience.
Written by Tanuppriya Pande, Learning Support Coordinator
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Note on EIP experience by by Tenzin Jigmey (Yr. 25-27):
The chapter of EIP have slowly come to an end. I am excited about the journey ahead yet still not forgetting what us have experienced together and what it had taught me.
Before coming here to the EIP I really was very insecure about my English, not in term of writing but in term of using it share my idea. I always thought i will face a barrier if a get into MUWCI. But turned out my English is good enough to be used to convey my idea, thought and emotions and the barrier i was expecting for wasn’t a language barrier but a wall stacked up by excuse. EIP made me realise what should be done and I’m grateful.
Also EIP had made me notice that how interesting is others’ culture and how can be different as well as sharing similarities. For example after coming here my Indian friend who is a Hindu told me that this month there are having Shrawan and they can’t eat meat, where in Buddhism we also have a month called ‘SAKA DAWA’ where most of the people don’t eat meat it made me realise how different our culture can be but still connect us.
Here comes the thing that i had enjoyed the most and that is getting into the MUWCI community. Talking to our second years, playing sports with them, knowing about the subject and talking with the teacher, greeting the dadas and everyone had made me realise that I’m spending my next to year in a community where one cares about another.
