Ian Jones

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Ian is the Regional Manager for North America, at the University of Chichester. He handles recruitment from the USA and also the university’s study abroad program and relationships with its university partners. Ian is very familiar with Delta Economy cabins and would like an aisle seat.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Cycling a borrowed pedal rickshaw at 2 in the morning in Mandalay.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current university?

I’ve worked for Chichester since 2010. In that time we have really increased the number of exchange partners we have in the U.S., so there are a lot more options for our students as well as more Americans on campus.

We now work with Louisiana State, Mercer, Columbus State, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, St. Norbert's, Queens College, and University of Northern Iowa.

It's been fantastic receiving their students and seeing the other study abroad program grow, and also very challenging. As a university we’ve learnt lots about the U.S. and the needs of American students when choosing study abroad in the UK.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

It’s too difficult to choose one! There are so many sides and experiences to studying overseas, and everyone has a different perspective.

My favorite insight about study abroad is that you often don’t realize how big an influence some experiences have had on you until long afterward.

I think everyone knows that going overseas to study for a semester of a year is “a thing”. What is nice is when you reconnect with study abroad alum much further down the track after they’ve graduated, and they’re able to reflect on their experience and say “my life went differently because of that, in a good way.”

If you could go on any program that your university offers, which one would you choose and why?

The university offers a range of broad portfolio courses that study abroad students can slot into. We work with students to help them choose what’s best. There’s a lot to choose from; from music to engineering.

We provide accommodation and there is a fantastic support team to help students find their feet.

What makes your university unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

One thing I am really proud of is that the university is such a welcoming place. As a study abroad student you have a relatively short amount of time to fit in, and our visiting students just have such a good time here.

There is a real personal feel to Chichester. Everyone meets their tutors when they start, takes part in the induction activities. Then there are lots of tours and excursions to enjoy. As well as being a very beautiful place to live and study, the campus community is so nice. And we’re only 70 miles from London.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful university?

We strive to give our students the best start possible when they apply to us, and talk to everyone personally about their course choices and accommodation, and arrival procedures. We want people to be happy with their study abroad choice before they get here.

Most of our students are pretty happy when they are here, there is a lot to do, the academic quality is very high, and it’s a friendly place. If there are any problems then we have a great support team to help out. We also want students to feel part of the university as alumni, and stay in touch via our alumni team.

Travel is very important to our U.S. students too. If you want to jump in your helicopter then France is only about 100 miles away over the Channel. Or (for most of us) an hour’s journey to Gatwick and then a short flight.