This session will provide an overview of the process of designing a Community-University Charter that is centrally focused on the welfare of international students, from pre-departure exploration all the way to community engagement. The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is proud to currently host nearly 2,000 international students from 25 different countries. It is essential that the Charter covers areas such as housing, physical and mental health, food, transport, documentation, and culturally sensitive needs. Including these components is imperative to ensure that the process of becoming an international student is a transparent and seamless experience.

The intended outcome of the project is a report detailing what the anticipated stages or milestones for implementing a Charter will be, based off coordinated and evidence-based findings agreed upon by all relevant actors. It will outline how best practices and desirable outcomes were established; how these practices and outcomes will improve student wellbeing and provide enhanced support for socioeconomic needs during their stay; how to consider various temporal periods of the international student experience; and in what ways the Charter will benefit international students at the university. The session will detail the proposed method of data collection, outline participatory engagement, identify potential partners, and discuss desired community impacts of this work. It will outline the process of establishing the Charter for improving the condition of the international student body and update on the current status of the project.