What’s your job title and how long have you been at Loughborough?

I am the International Student Experience Manager based within Student Life, which is part of Student Services. I have been at Loughborough for about three and a half years, although I did complete my MSc here alongside working in the Library Café back in 2008-2009.

Tell us what a typical day in your job looks like?

There isn’t really a typical day in my role, and that’s one of the things I love the most. Some days are fast-paced and student-facing. I might be supporting the team to run an event for students or supporting an individual student, working with colleagues across the University to make sure they get the right support.

Other days are more strategic. While my team leads on planning and delivering our programmes, my focus is often on the wider picture, working with Schools and Professional Services to ensure we are meeting the needs of international students. That might involve working with Global Engagement to review our Pre-departure Briefing Content, supporting a school with an issue amongst their international cohort, reviewing policy, attending a meeting or working group, or advising colleagues on international student perspectives.

My team delivers a wide range of initiatives throughout the year. We run the International Welcome Events, develop resources and sessions to support students to transition to life in the UK, and coordinate the Heathrow Airport pick-ups. In the summer, we deliver the Pre-sessional Orientation, taking on a more pastoral role during that period. We also deliver the University’s vacation programmes, offering everything from trips and celebrations to sports and arts activities. Term-time activities include our Brighter Winter programme, which tackles the challenges of dark winter months and lots of other events to ensure that Loughborough feels like home.

No two days look the same. Whether it’s responding to a complex student situation or an emerging global event, a meeting-heavy day or developing a new resource to support students, it is always focused on how we can ensure we are delivering an excellent experience for our international students.

What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?

I genuinely struggle to pick just one project. Some highlights include working with Loughborough Students’ Union (LSU) and the International Students’ Network to develop student-led events for international students, from International Students’ Day to the University’s first Songkran celebration and our now annual Thanksgiving High Tables. I particularly love supporting the development of student-led activity because it shifts the focus from doing things for students to doing them with students. Celebrating the impact our students have on our community on International Students’ Day is particularly special.

I’ve also loved working with the Student Accommodation Centre on our new International Friendly Landlord Scheme, which launches in March and collaborating with the School of Design and Creative Arts to better connect isolated students by aligning social events with the academic programme such as our ‘Designing Christmas’ event in 2023. For me, there is nothing better than seeing our events and interventions have a positive impact on the lives of our students.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

I think the thing I am most proud of during my time at Loughborough has been developing our vacation programmes into what they are today. When I started, I was a team of one, and the University had only delivered online Christmas activities during Covid. In my first year, we successfully introduced a fully in-person Christmas programme and launched a new Easter programme, both with strong student engagement.

Since then, we have continued to grow. We’ve delivered two iterations of a summer programme to support postgraduate students through the longer, quieter months, doubling the number of events between the first and second year. What began as a small-scale initiative is now one of the most comprehensive vacation programmes at any UK university. I am so proud that Loughborough supports those students who stay on campus, both home and international. Creating connection, belonging, and lots of memories for students who might otherwise feel isolated is the most rewarding part of my job.

Which University value do you most resonate with and why?

I think the value that I connect to most is collaborative. As a team, International Student Experience works with so many wonderful colleagues from across Schools, Professional Services and LSU to ensure we provide the best experience for our international students. We couldn’t do what we do without their support and dedication to our students.

Tell us something you do outside of work that we might not know about?

Outside of work, I’m a massive Eurovision fan. I’ve been to the contest a couple of times, decorated the house with flags for at least a week each year, and have hosted more Eurovision parties than I can count.

Discovering Eurovision as a teenager was probably one of the things that first sparked my curiosity about other cultures, languages and perspectives. Looking back, it definitely played a part in shaping my interest in international and intercultural work, so you could say, Eurovision helped set me on the path to the career I have today.

What is your favourite quote?

I’m not sure I have a favourite quote, but anyone who works with me will hear me say “international students are not one homogenous group” at least a couple of times a week.

If you would like to feature in ‘Five Minutes With’, or you work with someone who you think would be great to include, please email Martha Causier at m.causier@lboro.ac.uk.