Due to Flemish language regulations the governing bodies at universities must hold their meetings in Dutch. This makes it hard for international students to participate in the student council. On October 20 2015, the ISP was officially (re)launched on paper as a satellite discussion group of the student council. The aim was to integrate issues of international students in the student representation at VUB and to add an international point of view to the discussions in the student council. Recently, the platform has become reality. The highly motivated team of international students is already doing far more than the initial objective.
International student experience
“The ISP, as the platform’s name is shortened, wants to represent the international student community and discuss their issues with the university board”, explains Koen Glotzbach, recently appointed chairman. “International students can contact us about problems they may face, but also with suggestions for the university. We are on MY.VUB and Facebook. Our ultimate goal is to improve the life and experience of international students at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.”
For the whole community
“To reach our goals, we also want to support international students in their initiatives on campus. We hope to create an interactive contact with the people we represent.” The platform wants to keep an open mind to the whole community. “As we hope on mutual approach and a truly integrated international community at VUB, we also think of the Belgian students in all of our projects.”
current Projects
A continuous focus of the ISP is the information for international students. Despite well appreciated efforts to communicate in English, there is a lot that still can be done. At present, the ISP discusses with some faculties to plan the graduation ceremony much earlier. This would offer the chance for international students to take part, but also helps the faculties to reach a larger audience in general. At the sports service, the ISP currently pleads for more sports activities during exam periods.
If you want to know more about the International Student Platform or would like to contact them, please check them out on MY.VUB.