Students our best ambassadors

Eighteen students from the University of Adelaide have been appointed Student Ambassadors.

This is the first time in 130 years that the University of Adelaide has appointed Student Ambassadors, whose aim is to build stronger relations with South Australian schools and to assist in major events, such as Open Day.

The Student Ambassadors scheme was developed in response to the needs of potential students, who often have important questions about the variety of study options, support services, and how to adjust to university life.

"The Student Ambassadors are based on the simple notion that our students are the best ambassadors for our university, because they understand better than anyone what it's like to be a student here," said the university's Director of Student Information and Services, Mrs Elizabeth Geddes.

"Each of our Ambassadors has been chosen because they are not only bright and talented, but they also have the ability and desire to communicate with potential students. They want to help new students to make the transition to university that much easier for them."

The official duties of the Ambassadors include providing advice to new and potential students at the university's Student Centre, attending education and careers fairs, visiting schools, and providing assistance to members of the community - including potential students, their friends and families - such as at the university's Open Day.

"Open Day was the first official duty for all of our new Student Ambassadors, and they brought a level of professionalism and friendliness to the day," Mrs Geddes said.

Mark Powell is in the fifth and final year of his double degree in Mechatronic Engineering and Maths & Computer Science. Earlier this year he was one of the "enrolment buddies" who helped new students ease into their first official days as students at the University of Adelaide.

Being a Student Ambassador was an important role in many ways, Mark said.

"It's a good opportunity to help new students who have no idea of what university is," he said.

"As current students, we have a perspective on the day-to-day life of the uni, and we can use that to help inform other students. It definitely would have helped me to adjust when I started uni."

Among her duties as Student Ambassador, Honours English student Alice Kelly has hosted tours of Japanese students around campus.

"With the tours I've been explaining a bit about the history of the uni, the quality of our academic programs and the student life," Alice said. "It's good to point out that it's not just all academic - the uni is well rounded, and there's plenty of fun to be had."

As a relatively new student herself, in her first year of a Bachelor of Science (Molecular & Drug Design), Stacey Robinson can see the value of being a Student Ambassador.

"As a student, you're faced with a lot of information about studying and all the different opportunities on campus.

"But it never feels as relevant as when students who've experienced those things are the ones telling you the information," she said.

"I know from my own experience that the enrolment buddies were a great help, and hopefully as a Student Ambassador I can help to make a difference for other new students."

Story by David Ellis