What led you initially to study at Bangor University and then again years later to join the international student support team?
Bangor University is renowned for their School of Ocean Sciences and wanting to get a Masters in the subject, I had no doubt Bangor would offer a great course. And it definitely did. The modules were well thought of and the whole program was interesting, interactive, and fun!
Staff and students celebrating academic success at Bangor University’s Main Arts building
Bangor is a small, safe town by the sea and next door to great mountains and scenery so couldn’t have asked for more! So after my PhD in Barcelona I decided to come back and settle here at my beloved Bangor, where I started working for the International Student Support Office, with the aim to help new students enjoy and get the most out of Bangor both academically and personally.
In what ways do you support students?
At the International Student Support Office we support students by helping with visa applications and immigration matters, but also general welfare issues. Our friendly office is open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and all students are welcome to come in and express their concerns/problems and ask for support when needed. In addition, we organize a full trips and events program so international students can discover Wales and its fascinating ancient culture.
Marcel traveling as part of his MSc dissertation project back in 2009
Are there any questions students often ask you?
At the beginning of the year we get a lot of questions on accommodation, timetables, registering, and how to contact staff in different Schools. However, after a couple of months, once everyone is settled in, we get a lot of queries on traveling around the UK and Europe, managing finances, working and volunteering, and ways of making the most of the Bangor Experience.
What advice do you give to students while they are transitioning to life in Wales?
The most important thing at the beginning is to be patient. When arriving to a new place, we all want to feel integrated and relaxed straight away, but that takes time and is not always easy. And that’s why we have a pretty intense welcome program so new students get to know each other and start building a friendly community that will make the transition to a new home easier and smoother.
The number one piece of advice I always tell students is to get involved. No matter what you are used to back home, dive into new experiences, join all sorts of activities, and discover a new self in Wales.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is the student focused nature of it. Helping students is both challenging and rewarding. We all have different needs and ways of solving our problems so as part of our varied job we have to be very adaptable, understanding, and friendly all at the same time.
Can you tell us about the Internationals Go Green program?
We run a multi-departmental environmental project called Internationals Go Green—a program designed to bring together local Welsh communities and international students under the frame of sustainability. By organizing beach cleans, workshops to reuse plastic in creative ways, and joining students and local communities, this project has been working towards Bangor University’s aim of becoming “The Green University”.
Marcel Clusa with international students during a Bangor Litter Pick as part of the Internationals Go Green project
What are your hopes for the future for Bangor becoming “The Green University”?
Our aim is to hopefully have an impact on everyone’s daily choices and actions. By making slight changes in our routines, we can become more sustainable by recycling correctly, avoid using single use plastics, and taking care of the communities we live in. Because of the international nature of our job, on top of that, we are hoping international students will take the message back home and spread the word for a better, cleaner planet.
How have your own international experiences been pivotal in designing and running this green program?
By studying abroad, I became more adaptable and it gave me confidence to lead a number of projects that involved international networking. I shared experiences with people from all over the world and that was key to broaden my horizons and gain communication skills that have improved my career notably.
The International Student Support Team
What does sustainable travel mean to you?
Leaving the environmental side of it aside, the definition of sustainability also involves culture and wellbeing.
Sustainable travel to me means learning about the hosting culture you move into, making the most of it, and trying not to experience it as an outsider but taking part in it.
By learning local language basics, joining cultural fairs, or volunteering to get experience out of your travel you can also give back to the local communities and that is just priceless.
Why do you think it is important for individuals to travel and experience new cultures?
By studying in a different country, I gained a more global perspective and went from thinking locally to thinking globally not only at work but also on a personal level. Traveling and experiencing new cultures can have a strong impact on the way we look at others and ourselves, and because things don’t always go according to plan, we can learn to become more resilient and to not be afraid to ask for help when needed. All the international experiences that I gained from my MSc and PhD have been pivotal in my career, something I couldn’t have done without studying abroad.
