Ateneo de Zamboanga University

School of Liberal Arts

Social Sciences Department
EXIT INTERVIEW REPORT
On March 18, 2016, 8 AB International Studies and 9 AB
Interdisciplinary Studies graduating students came for an Exit Interview with
the Department. Among the topics discussed in the interview where
suggestions on the activities of the program that the department should
continue, start doing or stop doing altogether. The interviewees also shared
the values and lessons learned in the institution and their last messages and
suggestions.
The Department should continue doing
Most of the students in the INTS Program said that outside activities
like participation in the Mindanao International Studies Students (MISS)
Convention should be promoted and continued. They also said that the fora,
colloquia, and seminars they organized and attended were helpful in giving
them learning beyond the classroom.
Among the IS students; the teachers motivation for them to continue
striving and their consideration were of great help for them to persevere in
their studies. They also said that consultations before enrollment was also a
great help to them, as they are made aware of their status.
Altogether, they said that the close relationship established by their
teachers and fellow students helped them a lot. Team building activities
could further strengthen this.
The Department should stop doing
Among INTS students, they said that the department should stop being
tolerant and should go extensive in enforcing the standard cut-off among
students who cannot cope with the rigid demands of the program.
On the other hand, IS students were saying that the way that they are
being looked down by their teachers and the Ateneo community in general
has got to stop. Because of this, they feel that they are recipients to
mediocre teachers who just read the lessons infront of the class. Accordingly,
they feel offended when they were identified as bagsakan of students who
are not doing well academically.
The Department should start doing

INTS students were saying that the department should start giving
proper orientation at the onset of the course. They said that the orientation
may be able to prepare them well for the rigid demands of the course as well
as the co-curricular expenses they may incur in the program. They also said
that the department should start giving more opportunities for travel since
these may also help them get a good grasp of the goals of their program.
The students also made mention of the Model United Nations or the Model
ASEAN to be institutionalized.
Among IS students on the other hand, they were asking if the
department can start organizing the IS students organization and give them
a good moderator to help them be acquainted with one another. Through
this, they may be able to support each other, which is very helpful as they go
through the program and finish it on time. They also said that the
department should start taking immediate action to students concerns
especially those enrolled in the IS program. They should also be given equal
opportunities with the INTS students especially in co-curricular activities and
outside the classroom activities.
Values and Lessons learned
The most common response among the students was perseverance.
They learned the value of pursuing their course however and whatever it
takes. INTS students were talking about their independence when they took
their internship in Manila- away from the comforts of home and family. IS
students were talking about the value of establishing good relationships
among peers and with their teachers. A notable response common to
students from both programs was the value of respect and understanding
especially among people with different religion and ethnic affiliations.
Message/Suggestions
The students were very grateful for all the support and help from the
department. They hope that they can visit sometime in the future and give
back to the program in whatever capacity they can. They hope that the
course can be made more attractive and challenging to improve the learning
and skills of the students. They see that in the future, students from both
programs are involved in the university affairs in fostering much learning not
only inside the university but in the city and region as well.