Would you like to be one of the International Student Ambassadors of the University of Tartu? Yes? Then you are in the right place. In this blog, you will find the answers to the following questions:
- Who is an International Student Ambassador?
- What are you going to do as an International Student Ambassador?
- Why you should be an International Student Ambassador?
- How you can apply for the program?
- What are the requirements to be an International Student Ambassador?
My experience
Before starting my studies at the University of Tartu, I have already participated in more than 50 events as a volunteer. For me, volunteering is the best opportunity to meet different people, to learn from each other, to experience unique adventures. That’s why even before coming to Tartu, I was searching for some organizations in which I can be a volunteer. However, interestingly, I met with the ISA group in the orientation week for the first time. I remember myself getting excited when the former ambassador was talking about the program and activities, and at that moment I decided that it would be the perfect start in Tartu. Then as soon as I went back to the dormitory I applied for the program, and fortunately, I got selected. Hereby, I strongly recommend you to be fully sincere in the interview and mention the reasons why you actually want to be an international student ambassador.
When we started I was thinking the tasks will be only writing content and organizing events. However, I learned a lot from my fellow ambassadors on how to use certain tools for different tasks, how to manage, I learned how to work as a team even though the vast majority of the tasks were being done online, I improved some of my skills such as content creation and photo editing. ISA is the program in which you both learn and teach your fellows, and I can say that the best part of being an ambassador is to meet very different people so alike you, and working with them does not feel like you are working at all. For sure, ISA is quite a unique experience because you represent both your own country and the University of Tartu while you are learning a lot, and I think it is more than worth it to be an international student ambassador at the University of Tartu.
Who is an International Student Ambassador?
An international student ambassador is a current degree-seeking student who helps voluntarily the prospective students to get more information about the University of Tartu, and within that framework, they introduce not only programs that the university offer, but also to living in Tartu as well as in Estonia.
Why should you be an International student ambassador?
By becoming an international student you can boost your practical skills such as public speaking, organization and presentation. Since the ISA is a big family, you will also learn a lot from your colleagues. You will have an opportunity to lead projects and participate in cool motivational events. You will have a personal profile on the website of the international student ambassadors. Once you finish your volunteering period, then you will get a recommendation letter from the Marketing Unit and a certificate signed by the Rector. Last but not least, you will be able to join the team-building events of the Marketing Unit for the international student ambassadors, and you will have some UT memorabilia such as T-shirt, hoodie, etc.
What are you going to do as an International Student Ambassador?
As an international student ambassador, you will:
- reply to the emails of the prospective students
- help the organization of events
- create contents for social media
- share your experiences and knowledge by writing blogs
How can you apply for the International Student Ambassadors program?
Students can apply to become a member of ISA once a year, at the beginning of the autumn semester, through the official recruitment process. You can follow the updates from the website of the ISA program. The applications are open until October 1. Click here and apply now!
What are the requirements to be an International Student Ambassador?
- Should be able to perform their duties for their study period, up to two years, but no less than one year
- Should be an international degree-seeking student enrolled in the university and so eligible to apply to ISA
- Eligible to plan and participate in projects, all affairs of ISA and receive all communications of ISA
- Should be ready to complete at least 30 hours of volunteer work performing duties in the autumn semester and 36 hours in the spring semester
- Should be ready to actively participate in ISA activities
- Should be a team player
- Should be ready to share their experience
- Should be looking to meet great new people!
*Please note that it is not allowed to leave ISA in the middle of the semester without sufficient reason (e.g. leaving Estonia, quitting the university, health reasons). In such cases, a member is not considered to be a graduate of the program and cannot be granted a certificate, recommendation letter, and listed among ISA alumni.
We are looking forward to seeing your application on the next call!
If you want to learn more about the international student ambassadors program, you can look through the website by clicking here.