Upon my return from my Study Abroad semester in Edinburgh, I applied to be a TRU Study Abroad Ambassador. Specifically, I am the group’s events coordinator. This entails planning socials, tabling, and other occasion-specific events such as iDays, Orientation, and Clubs Day. Aside from events, I attend biweekly meetings, give informative presentations to classrooms, and answer students questions over text and email.
I find this role rewarding because I can see the same excitement and nervousness in the students I’m working with that I once felt. I can empathize with their concerns and put them at ease, as well as recount my memories. In this role, I was surprised by the number of students who ask me questions such as “did you have fun?”. The question seems broad, generic, and obvious; however, to someone who has never been abroad before, or for long periods of time or solo, this is an honest and beneficial question. I relay my experience to them, specifically regarding common concerns like friends, accommodation, safety, and transportation, and after our conversation, we are both glad the question was asked given its evident emotional productivity.
A social media post by Tatiana, another ambassador, to advertise our tabling. Students can stop by to ask questions about the Study Abroad program or their application.