The foundation for an international student advisory council has been laid in the 2022 version of the Code of Conduct. It has been a long-standing wish of the Commission to structurally involve international students in its work, but we were not sure how. Victor Rutgers recommended the establishment of an international student advisory council. The advisory council may provide solicited and unsolicited advice to the Commission from the perspective of the international students. In addition, it is expected that the council will increase awareness of the Code of Conduct among students. Recruitment for the student advisory council has taken place. The student councils and participatory bodies of the educational institutions included in the register were asked to bring the vacancy to the attention of their international student members. The members of the international student advisory council will start on 1 September 2022 and would now like to take this opportunity to introduce themselves:

Aysun Hasan
Hello! Let me introduce myself:
I am Aysun, a 19-year-old Bulgarian girl. I am a first-year student at Tilburg University (second-year from September 2022), studying BSc Human Resource Studies: People Management.

More about me:
– I speak Bulgarian, Turkish (I have Turkish origins), English, and a bit of German (I studied it for four years in high school) and Russian (I studied it for three years in primary school). I am planning to learn Dutch too!
– I love travelling, shopping, reading self-help books, meeting new people, going to the gym, and walking around nature whenever I have some spare time.
– I enjoy dancing and singing. I have participated in many competitions for folk dances in Bulgaria. I have also sung in a choir for 4 years.
– Moreover, I have participated in many competitions for essay writing (in Bulgarian) and won first places.
– Additionally, as a class representative in high school I have organized and coordinated charity actives (voluntarily).

Motivation for joining the SAB:
I am the kind of person who often wants to change how things generally work and I often find myself critically thinking about ways of doing so, that can make a change for the better for everyone. This is why this upcoming academic year I will be part of STIMULUS – a student fraction that represents all students at the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, so they can “fully develop themselves within and outside their studies”. I believe that I am in the right place as I am ready to listen, critically evaluate and find solutions and ways to develop. My personal focus will be on internalization and thus I believe I will be a perfect fit for the SAB as well.

If you would like to connect, you can check out my LinkedIn -> click here

I look forward to meeting you!

Fernando Gabriel Garcia Teruel
26 years old. Born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, in the middle of a Mexican-Lebanese family, I am the youngest of four siblings. Growing up in such an environment with three close examples and guides, showed me from a very young age how diverse, subjective, and even contradictory, the world can be. An artistic mother and a public servant father just added to my wide variety of interests and passions with a clear humanistic approach. Of these interests, I can remark arts, science, and especially, philosophy.

With some hesitation, I decided to take a practical decision and study for a bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering allowing me to develop my artistic, social, and philosophical passions on the side of my studies. At the same time, I had the opportunity to work in the textile and agricultural sector while contributing to different non-profit organisations of which, taking part in the board of education of my former school made me realise the need and importance of constant evolution in the education system.

After my bachelor’s studies, the drive to contribute to the climate crisis we are living in brought me to the Netherlands to study for an MSc. in Biosystems Engineering at Wageningen University and Research. Here I had the opportunity to join the Student Council for a year and develop my passion for education even further. All these experiences motivated me to apply for the Student Advisory Board reaffirming my commitment to the improvement of education, a process I am convinced is only possible through the sum of all perspectives, including the most different ones.

Liliana Almeida
Hello! My name is Liliana Almeida, and I am in my 4th year of European Studies at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). I am originally from Cape Verde, and I have been living in the beautiful city of The Hague for 5 years. I chose to come to The Netherlands because of the international and multicultural crowd, and the many English-speaking programs offered in higher education. As soon as I became a student at THUAS I was eager to participate in as many associations and extra-curricular activities as possible. For me, it is important to immerse yourself completely in the opportunities that come when you choose to study abroad.

After the first year, I got to know other international students and I noticed that their struggles were recurring. Due to the nature of my studies, I have learned in-depth how important representation is, so I decided to become the voice of all these international students at THUAS. From being a class representative to being elected to General Council, I always did my best to voice the issues that many international students were going through. My goal has been to make the experiences of future international students at THUAS more pleasant and less stressful by giving suggestions and advice to managers and directors of my university. The same motivation led me to apply to the Student Advisory Board (SAB) at the National Commission for the Code of Conduct for International Students in Higher Education (CoC). The membership at SAB means helping international students and institutions on a larger scale. It means that I can ensure that the CoC is drafted with the best interest of the students in mind; That all the correct information is provided timely to the students etc. Tasks that bring me great joy to do. I am looking forward to learning and sharing knowledge with SAB, and I cannot wait to meet, work, and do great things with the rest of the team.

Mitchelle Muchuchuti
Hi! My name is Mitchelle Muchuchuti, an international student from Zimbabwe. I am studying International Business (IB), at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the small city, of Enschede. I am interested in various topics in the Education sector with a focus on improvement, internationalisation, wellbeing, development, etc. That is why I am not only the Vice-chairman of the Academieraad for my study programme, but I am also a Centrale Medezeggenschapsraad Student Member, a student assistant at the International Office, an Honours student, was a member of the internal and external audit for my study programme, made a proposal on Mental Health which was shared with the NPO and currently finishing my thesis focusing on ‘’International Student Wellbeing’’ across all three campuses at Saxion.

The reasons why I was motivated to apply for a membership to the SAB were mainly two things; to be the voice for students especially if it is for the betterment of both the student, lecturer and the university and to grow, learn and develop more in the educational sector.

To some this may be a very ambitious person but “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” Therefore, I always say to others ‘’do what you love but make sure to take your mind with you’’, your heart will drive your passion and steer your motivation; whilst your mind will help you make clear and realistic decisions on the route to take, on the way. Furthermore, I strongly believe, that what has made me this far is the endless support from my family and friends, which has helped me stay grounded. As my parents always say, “it does not matter how fast or how long it will take you to complete the race, keep running.”

Patryk Jarmakowicz
Hi, I am Patryk Jarmakowicz, 23, an Erasmus University student from Poland, founder of the student party Aeffix, which I represent in the Erasmus University Council. Student participation and representation are very important for me, especially of the groups of students that are underrepresented in participatory bodies and therefore rarely heard. One of this groups, which I am also part of myself, is international students. All the decisions that are taken about students in the Netherlands, directly or indirectly affect us, but because we are not Dutch citizens, we are rarely consulted and therefore our voices are not heard. By being part of the SAB, I want to at least bring my multi-year experience of both an international student and a participatory body member to the table. Please do not hesitate to contact me at patryk.jarmakowicz@eur.nl

Rauf Mahmud-Zada
Hi everyone, my name is Rauf, I am from Azerbaijan, Baku and I study electrical and electronics engineering at Saxion university of applied sciences. The reason that motivated me the most to apply for the Student Advisory Board (SAB) is the passion to help international students feeling comfort and welcomed in the Dutch educational system. My essential aim is to help international students and spread awareness about the rights they have while studying at the Netherlands. Likewise, I believe that the SAB committee will do utmost for making internalization factor better at the Dutch institutions. We are here to help students!

 

Sumneet Kaur
Hello everyone, My name is Sumneet Kaur and I am 20 years old. I am a Bachelors student at Tilburg University and I study Economics. I do my best to be an active student to grab personal and professional learning opportunities and help peers by addressing their concerns to the possible extent. I am an active member of the student party FRONT and ESN. I really enjoy helping other students besides my study and contributing to making a difference. I am looking forward to being a part of the SAB and contribute in every way possible.