► FAQ - International Students

Frequently asked questions – International Students
 
Below are a few answers to common questions. If you have a question that is not listed below please contact Volunteering and Employability for more information.
 
Am I allowed to work/volunteer with my student visa?
The Volunteering and Employability office strives to find volunteering opportunities for all students however there are certain exceptions where your choices may be restricted because of the limitations within the UK Immigration visa you hold.
 
• If you have a Tier 4 visa you are eligible to take part in volunteering activities and/or paid work. This means that you are allowed to take part in on-going/regular volunteering and/or paid employment. However you are only allowed to take part in any of these activities up to a maximum of 20 hours per week, so the combined amount of volunteering and/or paid work is limited to 20 hours.
For example, you could take part in a combination of; 5 hours volunteering and 15 hours paid work = 20 hours.
 
• If you hold a Student Visitor visa you are not allowed to take part in on-going volunteering activities however you can get involved in one-off activities and the Volunteering and Employability staff at CUSU can advise you on the opportunities that are available to you.
 
If you need further advice about the conditions of your visa please contact the International Office at: enquiries.io@coventry.ac.uk 
 
What is volunteering?
Volunteering can mean different things depending where you live. Here in the UK, volunteering generally involves doing unpaid activities that in some way benefit the local community.
 
How long do I have to volunteer for?
Each organisation requires volunteers for different lengths of time, ranging from volunteering with them once to 12 months. Many organisations offer flexible one-off volunteering and you can also get involved in events organised by Volunteering and Employability and the Students’ Union.

Details of these are in the ‘Opportunities Directory’ on the website or you can sign up to Volunteering and Employability to receive email updates.

Do I have to be fluent in English to volunteer?
Some volunteering opportunities will need fluent English however there are many where it is not essential. There are also opportunities where speaking another language is an advantage: for example supporting children in schools. If you want to discuss this further please contact Volunteering and Employability.

What is a CRB check and will I need one?
Anyone working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults in the UK will need to complete a CRB check to show that they are a suitable candidate. The CRB checks an applicant’s criminal history in the UK. To complete a CRB check you will need to come to the Volunteering and Employability office with 3 pieces of identification and fill out a form. The form usually takes 4-6 weeks to be returned and you will be unable to start volunteering until it is returned.

Do I need a CRB check from my country?
If you have lived in the UK for less than 5 years and you want to volunteer with children or vulnerable adults you may be asked to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ from your country. Therefore if you have an interest in working with any of these groups you should bring a copy of your police record with you when you come to the UK. You may also be able to apply to your embassy for one when you get here.

If you have any questions about CRB checks in the UK or your own country please contact Volunteering and Employability.

Do I need referees?
Most organisations ask for references as part of the application process for volunteering. We advise volunteers to ask 2 people you know well to act as referees. These should be people you've known in a professional capacity for at least two years who are willing to comment on your suitability for a role. Make sure they are easy to contact and that you bring up to date postal and email address, phone and a fax number with you for each referee.

What volunteering have international students taken part in previously?

Below are a selection of casestudies and quotes from international students who have taken part in volunteering through Volunteering and Employability.

Name: Student Volunteer
Project: Romanian Language Project at President Kennedy School
Year: 2010/11

I worked with the Support Office team at President Kennedy School once a week and I was mainly responsible for helping the Romanian students improve their English, but I also aided them during class as it is sometimes more effective. It was an amazing experience, the staff was helpful and I quickly managed to blend in and start doing my work effectively.

Firstly, I learnt to organise my time properly for each student to benefit as much as possible from the hours that they had worked with me and that meant doing serious planning beforehand and be always prepared. Although I could not know everything I had to learn for the time I spent there to be useful. Secondly, working with children improved my supervising skills, my ability to multi-task and divide my attention, as well as my ability to stay focused.

I have always enjoyed working with children but this was quite a challenge. I struggled to find the right balance between friend and teacher, and to remain closer to them while maintaining a firm hand. As I got to know them better, in time I learnt to plan the time given to subject themes according to what the children liked doing as to keep their interest and attention as much as possible. I also had to go through different subjects to remember what I had done in highschool and to keep up with them and I even learnt new things.

My best memory is seeing the students progress and their little breakthroughs made my day as it always felt as I was accomplishing something as well. It was amazing that the staff treated me with trust and believed that I could do the job from the beginning and that was really important as it was encouraging.

Name: Oyinlola Akinde
Course: International Law LLM,
Year: 2009/10

One of Oyinlola’ s main work experience placements was an Asylum Case Worker at the Coventry Refugee Centre where she supported asylum seekers and refugees, ensuring they gained the support and benefits that they were entitled to.
Oyinlola also volunteered on various one-off opportunities, including Student Volunteering Week, the Big Challenge, the Big Sports Challenge, Play the Game Conference, Coventry Half Marathon, BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteering) and Plan UK’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ Campaign.
Oyinlola was also a volunteer CyberMentor for Beatbullying, the UK’s leading bullying prevention charity. As a CyberMentors Oyinlola worked online to engage digitally through a specially created social networking site, to support, assist and mentor those affected by bullying. Oyinlola is one of over 200 Coventry University students who have undertaken training since 2009 to become CyberMentors and make a real impact on the lives of young people all over the UK.

When asked why others should volunteer Oyinlola commented:

“Volunteering and Employability’ has helped me to integrate into the student society here in Coventry, develop new skills and impact positively into the community to make a difference to the lives of others.
I intend to specialise on the rights of children and volunteering has helped me to gain valuable experience. I have acquired a great number of contacts through networking with organisations on women’s and children’s issues, both locally and internationally.
I have also developed my leadership skills and I have informed everyone I met about the volunteering opportunities available, especially for international students. I have realised that there is no barrier, nothing stopping you, bringing your best (talent or ability) out. Every International student must make sure that their prospective university has a volunteering provision (Like Volunteering and Employability) because volunteering brings the best out of you.”

Name: Liesl Marisa Harewood – Business Devleopmet Director at Dykon Developments (Barbados)
Course: Diplomacy, Law & Global Change
Year: 2004/05

“When I was at Coventry University 2004-2005 doing my Masters, I participated in The Big Challenge through Volunteering and Employability with Coventry and Warwick Universities. I remember working at a primary school where we did their garden, built a pond etc.

It has helped me with my personal and professional development because it was the first time I can remember that I participated in an organized volunteer effort. Subsequently I have volunteered in Barbados for the World Cup of Cricket in 2007 and in Ghana with a Canadian NGO called Youth Challenge International in February 2010.

I think that volunteering has really opened my eyes in how I do business. I work with a Business Development Consultancy firm and I believe that volunteering has made me think of my social responsibility in all the projects I do and how it can have sustainable positive impacts.

Although it was a cold day, it was great to interact with other young people from both Coventry and Warwick Universities spread all across the city for the day working on various projects. There is nothing like meeting new friends and working together on a common project and giving something back to the community that has become your home while you are a student.”

Name: Abiodun Popoola
Course: Peace and Reconciliation Studies MA
Year: 2009/10

“I volunteer for the Coventry Refugee Centre as a REFUGEE/ASYLUM CASE WORKER. As a Case Worker, I am exposed to dealing with numerous asylum and refugees cases on daily basis in Coventry, this experience really made me realise the predicaments and sufferings vulnerable people go through within the context of refugee. As an MA student in Peace and Reconciliation Studies this volunteering experience is also aiding my academic works and knowledge.

My volunteering work in relations to the community (ASYLUM AND REFUGEES) creates an avenue for me to meet these people one on one basis thereby creating serious empathy, feelings of belongings and at the same time feelings that they are welcome by the city. This position gave me some sense of responsibilities of leadership roles by helping them deal directly with the Home Office in connection with their status and as well is preparing me for future challenges in the humanitarian fields. Been an international student volunteering with CRC gave me the utmost opportunity on frequent basis to work with UKBA (UNITED KINGDOM BORDER AGENCY) in relations with this people coming from diverse backgrounds with great political, religious and cultural affiliations.

Creating the time and efforts to volunteer twice a week at the Centre really portrays my zeal, willingness and keen interest in contributing my quota by helping the city of Coventry in humanitarian work.”

Name: Sunil Sunny
Course: Engineering Management MBA
Year: 2009/10

Volunteered at FAIRTRADE (youth for Fairtrade)

“I choose this opportunity because I felt it could bring about a positive impact on my life. Getting to meet new people, sharing experiences, get to know their perspectives, confidence, and face new challenges are some of the factors that matter to me.

I’ve attended meetings that involved group discussions, events and so on...our main objective is to promote Fairtrade products. Therefore we are currently working on a project funded by the Fairtrade/government in order to promote the same.

What I’ve already achieved,
• Wide network of friends and experiences
• Learn different skills
• Taking up new challenges
• Improve my team work skills
• Enhance employability
• New opportunities

Well I would say if you would like to serve your community, volunteering is the best opportunity to make your life better. The best part of it is that there is wide range of volunteering opportunities to choose from so as to enhance your skills. From my perspective, being an international student, volunteering opportunities are not so relevant in my home country. I was not pretty sure about what step to take when I first thought about it. I popped in to Volunteering and Employability, had a chat with them, picked up the best suited volunteering service for me form a list of what they offered. My advice to all my friends is to pick up an opportunity, make your life better.”

I want to volunteer, what do I have to do next?
Please click on the green ‘How to volunteer’ tab in the menu on the left hand side.

 

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