Student Ambassadors help bring Melbourne Winter School to life
Twelve University of Melbourne students participating in the Students@Work program recently took on the role of student ambassadors for Melbourne Winter School, helping to welcome and support an international cohort of students from around the world.
The Students@Work program connects students with on campus employment and internships at The University of Melbourne and supports students to develop their job skills and employability with tailored learning and development experiences.
Working as peer mentors and student leaders, the ambassadors played a central role in helping Melbourne Winter School students navigate academic and social aspects of the program, supporting them through group projects, excursions, academic activities, social events, and generally helping them navigate life in Melbourne.
Through their mentorship and leadership, the ambassadors helped bridge cultural, social and academic differences, enabling participants to build meaningful friendships and gain the confidence to fully engage in the Melbourne Winter School experience.
For student ambassador Moeno Miyachi connecting with participants from different backgrounds was one of the highlights of the role.
“It was very fun to learn about their languages and their cultures. The culture showcase was very exciting and heartwarming; the students brought a piece of their culture to Melbourne.”
The experience also provided significant professional development opportunities for the student ambassadors.
Through leading diverse groups of international students and navigating real-world challenges, ambassadors gained practical experience in managing people and fostering collaboration while working across cultures. They also developed their skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, public speaking and facilitation.
The opportunity to engage with students from around the world created meaningful cultural exchanges for both participants and ambassadors, helping to build global perspectives and lasting connections.
Student ambassador Nicole Eustachius Fernandes reflected on the relationships formed throughout the program.
“The most rewarding part were the connections I made with the students, ambassadors and colleagues throughout the program.” Nicole said. “It made coming to work so enjoyable.”
There was overwhelmingly positive feedback from the Melbourne Winter School team who worked closely with the ambassadors, sharing how generous, conscientious, engaged and flexible they were in supporting the international students.
The contribution of the student ambassadors was instrumental to the success of Melbourne Winter School and to the experiences of the participating students in the program.