Our Life skills Course

It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive, but those who can best manage change.
Charles Darwin

Since the earliest days of human history, the ability to adapt to one’s environment has been a fundamental key to progress, wellbeing, and success. This principle holds true today, particularly for young adults facing one of the most significant transitions of their early lives: leaving behind the familiarity and security of home to pursue studies abroad.

A substantial body of research has consistently shown that students who feel psychologically safe, secure and comfortable in their living environment are more likely to succeed academically and personally.

Empower’s Life Skills Workshop is a one day, in-person pre-departure experience designed to make independent living abroad feel achievable, not overwhelming. It equips students with the practical knowledge, emotional readiness, and critical thinking skills they need to settle into university life seamlessly.

 

The empower Life Skills course is structured around five key modules

Allow the Empower team to help your child navigate a new social environment

  • Culture, humour, and social etiquette
  • Staying safe in social settings
  • Building friendships, networking and social confidence

Helping your child become self-sufficient and able to navigate domestic tasks

  • Time management and self-organisation
  • Navigating public transport
  • Road safety
  • Laundry basics
  • Food hygiene and simple cooking

Giving your child the basic financial knowledge to budget and avoid costly mistakes

  • Managing budgets and finances
  • Banking, mobile contracts, insurance essentials
  • Avoiding scams and financial traps

Helping your child deal with the stresses and strains of university life

  • Mental health strategies & managing stress
  • Physical wellbeing
  • Navigating Health services (GPs, hospitals, emergency services)

Advising your child on where to go and who to contact for help

  • How & where to ask for help (student support, academic advisors, wellbeing centres)
  • Academic culture: what’s different from home?
  • The Empower pre-departure checklist