Hello! My name is Jenna Boyd, and I am a current 2^nd year Psychology student at the University of Manchester. For the last academic year, I have been working as a student co-ordinator as part of the International Student Experience Programme (ISEP). My main responsibilities include administration work, helping to prepare and plan events as well as providing a student’s perspective on decisions that are made. I have also had the pleasure of working alongside Dr Li-Chia Chen to plan each monthly event and aid decisions made regarding the event’s themes and activities.

As I am not a Pharmacy student, this role has been very insightful and interesting to learn about another subject as well as the work involved in this programme. Due to COVID-19, we have all had to adjust to Zoom meetings and I understand how nerve-racking it can, especially when meeting new people. However, I had the pleasure of watching some of the events and it was great to see the relationships that were built between mentees and mentors. It has been wonderful to watch the mentees grow more comfortable and become more confident in expressing themselves in front of the other mentees and their mentors. It has also been interesting for me to listen to the mentees and mentors discuss themes such as cultural awareness, academic stress, and wellbeing, all of which are a big part of your life at university.

For me, I think my favourite part of this role has been being able to read to read the mentee’s reflections after each event. It has been lovely to read how the mentees have been enjoying the events as well as feeling they are growing in confidence with each event and are feeling more prepared for their life at university in Manchester. I also had the privilege of helping with a focus group where the mentors were invited to share their reflections of the project. They expressed their enjoyment for the discussions that have been had as well as learning about a new culture and interacting with new people. Hearing comments like this are incredibly rewarding and just highlights the success of the ISEP. I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as a student co-ordinator and have loved getting to meet new people, learning about different themes and cultures, as well as planning and preparing for each event.

 

 

 

Jenna Boyd 

BSc Psychology Student 

Student Partnership Intern

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