Interview
Connecting Students who face Unique Challenges
This academic year we are launching a new initiative called StudentsSupportStudents; a student-led community designed to connect those WUR students who face unique challenges, whether due to neurodiversity, disability, mental health issues, or responsibilities such as parenting or giving informal care to a family member.
Heleen Franssen - Programme Lead Student Wellbeing - took the initiative and found three highly motivated student assistants to pull the cart and create an interactive platform for and by WUR students.
Heleen explains: “In 2023 we started the monthly No WURries-student support group. We noticed very quickly that this group serves a greater need than just a monthly face-to-face meeting can fulfil. Proof of that is a No WURries WhatsApp group regularly meeting for lunch.
Not all students attend actual meetings, but the need for connection is very high. StudentsSupportStudents aim to facilitate this connection. As professionals, we deliberately stay at a distance. The platform is ‘powered by Student Training & Support’ but run by students.”
Meet the Team
Wietske – Did her bachelor's in Utrecht, now second year MSc Forest and Nature Conservation in Wageningen.
"Finding the support you need is a challenge at WUR. Even when support is available, I had a lot of trouble finding the right help; it felt like I had to do everything on my own. I think I had to explain myself no less than eleven times before I really felt heard. Last year I joined the No WURries group and learned about this initiative. I am really motivated to help make life at WUR easier for other students.”
Aline – is a 2nd year MSc Nutrition and Health student. She comes from Brazil and started working at age 15. She did all her studies in the evenings while working a full-time job during the day.
"Yes, but that was in my home town and in my mother tongue," she says. "Coming here was overwhelming, and that is an understatement. Luckily, I was very motivated to make it work, but it wasn't easy. I am usually reluctant to join groups of people, but I pulled myself together and went to the No WURries meeting. That was a great decision; it was such a welcoming atmosphere and I found a lot of like-minded people there. For me, being involved in StudentsSupportStudents provides a great opportunity to help fellow students and to ‘fill the gap’ in support I felt myself.”
Imke is the third member of the student team. She is still enjoying her holidays, and like Aline, she is a 2nd year MSc Nutrition & Health student.
10…9…8 […] Launching the WhatsApp Group
During the AID we launched our WhatsApp group which already has more than 60 members already. This group is meant to share experiences and connect. Soon we will introduce an MS-Teams site where we can make information on various topics available. Think of it as a Q&A for our target groups.
At the AID Infomarket, we promoted the platform, and it was very well received by students, study associations, teachers and others. Aline even got a request from one of her former teachers to come and talk about StudentsSupportStudents in her class.
The platform is still under construction but (and!) and this offers great opportunities for early adopters. You are invited to help us build and evolve this unique community. How much fun is that?
Join us on September 12th – Board Game Night
OK, we are mainly an online platform, but as one of the important topics is loneliness, we decided to organise a fun board game night on Thursday, September 12th from 18:30h. Sign up here… Location t.b.d. There will be snacks & drinks!
Dear readers of the STS Newsletter
Are you, or do you know, students who could benefit from the StudentsSupportStudents community? Please help us spread the word and invite them to join us. Click here and join us, without any obligation.
This interview was published in the Newsletter of Student Training & Support - September 2024