Physics with Astrophysics student, Robert Larini, reflects on how his experience as a Global Officer helped him to fulfil his leadership ambitions
I have been a Global Officer since September 2023, and the experience has changed my outlook on leadership. Through being a Global Officer I have made new friends of varied backgrounds, and different perspectives helping to enhance my own outlook on how to succeed.
My interest in becoming a Global Officer began when I assisted at one of their Global Hangouts. Having recently returned from a year abroad and asked if I would like to be a friendly face to incoming students I jumped at the opportunity, and I’m glad I did. Since helping out at the Welcome Week Global Hangout I have been actively engaged in organising and overseeing many of their future events. To me seeing your plan become reality in the form of Global Hangouts is the most fulfilling aspect of being a Global Officer.
Global Officers at the University of Kent have run 8 Global Hangouts in 2023/24 across their Medway and Canterbury campuses with multiple other smaller events. The benefit of these Global Hangouts is they often have an educational aspect such as learning about different cultures, but they are also a fun way to relax and destress.
When we plan a Global Hangout, we often begin knowing our budget, and we have to come up with a theme. Often these themes relate to the time of year such as: Bonfire Night, Christmas, and New Year’s. Once we have established a theme we decide on our activities and catering – yes, food is always a big attractor. Although, food is great the activities are always well enjoyed – my personal highlights are: learning to juggle with the Circus Society and learning Mauritian Creole while drinking tea with the Mauritian Society.
Another activity I have taken part in as a Global Officer is becoming a tour guide. As a Global Officer I have been tasked with showing incoming exchange students around Canterbury campus and the city itself, as well as private tours to prospective international students. Through these tours I have spoken to students from: Norway, Denmark, Austria, Hong Kong, and the United States of America.
During these tours it is not just walking, and stating facts about the University but, an ongoing dialogue where you too can ask questions and get to know the people you are showing around. My first tour was with the incoming Winter exchange students, and we ended up going shopping for kitchen supplies immediately after our tour. Given that they appreciated my company even after the tour was over, I believe it went well.
Another huge part of being a Global Officer are the workshops. These are focused around GOLD (Global, Officer, Leadership, and Development) in the form of cultural intelligence, innovativeness, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Many of the workshops encourage engagement in the form of group activities and discussions – very different to a seminar.
My favourite workshops were related to Intercultural Communication. In these workshops we learnt about Intercultural Competence and effective communication. My main take away revolved around the importance of being culturally aware, particularly in the modern day, where connecting with someone on the opposite side of the planet is easy and sometimes a necessity. If you hope to become more culturally intelligent, I would advise that you keep an open mind and start with accepting that your own perceptions are coloured by your own culture.
Overall, being a Global Officer is an experience worth having with its many opportunities to enhance yourself. I would strongly advise any students reading this blog post to apply to become one, or at the very least attend a future Global Hangout. Speaking from experience, you will not regret the skills you’ll pick up. Go and fulfil your leadership ambitions.