INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AMBASSADORS MEETING

Although everyone is used to online classes and meetings these days, a face-to-face gathering still makes it easier to build a community of students who want to establish a special relationship with the faculty, during and after their studies.

Our Student Ambassadors are positive, responsible and enthusiastic young people who enjoy meeting new students and expanding their professional and personal network. As ambitious and outstanding students with a solid study career, they are interested in collaborating with the faculty on special occasions, for example when it comes to organizing activities for international students.

As their studies progress, they often support their fellow students by making a long-term commitment as a buddy for new students, or by acting as a student representative or an ISCEB board member (International Student Council of Economics and Business). The successful completion of such a commitment is certainly an asset to apply for the high-profile role of a FEB International Ambassador.

Student Ambassadors are appointed by the faculty during their studies to represent FEB’s curriculum to future students and to share all kinds of valuable information about the programmes and life on campus with them. This is a highly valued key task that is facilitated through digital media such as a chat system.

After graduation, they remain closely connected as Alumni Ambassadors. For the faculty they are an obvious connection with the outside world as they help us achieve educational and research-related matters, among other things. Alumni Ambassadors are invited on many occasions to share insights and experiences of their early careers with students pursuing the same programme.

At present, there are more than 80 Student Ambassadors from more than 40 different countries, gradually evolving into Alumni Ambassadors upon graduation. This enables a solid representation of all international Bachelor's and Master's programmes.

As said, last year's meeting finally offered the opportunity to meet again after a long wait. While everyone enjoyed a snack or drink, Vice-Dean of Internationalization, Professor Peter Teirlinck, thanked the ambassadors for their commitment to the faculty. It was also the perfect opportunity to look back on previous contributions and in particular to congratulate both Fabio Kaimi (Student Ambassador) and Jennifer Sotnichenko (Alumni Ambassador) for their appearance in a film about FEB’s English bachelor’s programmes (link below).

Furthermore, the many upcoming opportunities to cooperate with the faculty were presented, such as assisting faculty staff during the Open Information Days for future students in March and April. Upon returning to their native country, FEB’s Student Ambassadors can make use of various information sets developed by the faculty to give a presentation about KU Leuven and the faculty in their local community.

Of course, plenty of time was dedicated to listen to the students, and to collect their ideas about the various programmes and studying at the faculty. At the end of this dynamic meeting, there was a photo shoot of the current Student Ambassadors (many of whom could not attend because they were on Erasmus exchange). As you can see at the top of this article, it was a super fun moment. It was also the perfect end to a pleasant and valuable moment spent with our ambassadors.

Peter Vancompernolle

Here you can apply to become an ambassador Learn more about FEB’s English bachelor’s programmes on youtube