International Representatives from WUR ft. Francisco J. Martinez
By Zlatoslava
You have probably heard of Wageningen University & Research (locally referred to as ‘WUR’) having international representatives, but do you actually know what their role is and who they are?
Wageningen University’s representatives are entitled to represent and promote the University internationally in their country! Despite them currently living in different countries, they are experts when it comes to student- and city-environment here in Wageningen. That is why they are also trusted to ‘recruit’ students for the master’s programmes.
There are currently seven of them on the team: Yingxiang Zhang representing us in China; Meenakshi Kaul—India; Ponti Caroline-GROW—Indonesia; Saki Tanaka—Japan; Francisco J. Martinez—Latin America; Yewon Cho—South Korea; Ryan Huang—Taiwan. You can contact them and learn a bit more about them here.
To further understand what they do and how they can help you as a future student of Wageningen University, we first collaborated with and are about to introduce you to Francisco J. Martinez, from Latin America. He told us more about himself and the tasks of representatives. Additionally, he shared some interesting insights on how they connect with prospective MSc students!
Meet Francisco Martinez
Francisco is Mexican and has enthusiastically represented the University in Latin American Countries for nearly 15 years!
Francisco J. Martinez
“I have been representing Wageningen University & Research in Latin American Countries since 2010. My journey as an international representative has been a very motivating and enriching experience.”
The highlights of being an international representative
Representing a university abroad brings fulfilment, especially when working with young, passionate students. However, it also has its challenges and calls for versatility in different areas.
“Being an international representative entails a strong commitment with WUR and prospect students and requires a good understanding of the different social, economic and cultural conditions and contexts of the country we represent. The most enjoyable part of this role is interacting with students with different backgrounds and witnessing their excitement about the experience of studying abroad in a worldwide top university.”
Bringing awareness about WUR amongst prospective students
Finding new fits for Wageningen University and making prospective students familiar with the local culture can be quite a dynamic task. For this, Francisco uses various special methods like engaging events alongside other unique techniques.
“During most of the time, I have been bringing awareness about WUR by organising informational webinars, visiting local universities and sponsor organisations, participating in international educational fairs, and conducting one-to-one guidance sessions. Additionally, I actively engage with students on social media platforms and on my own website, providing them with up-to-date information about our master’s programmes, scholarships, student life, application process and relevant information about studying and living in Wageningen. The use of tailor-made promotional material as flyers, posters, souvenirs, and recently the use of a personal virtual assistant have been successful eye-catchers.”
Staying connected with (prospective) students before and after their acceptance
Representatives know the questions and unknowns don’t just stop once you’re admitted. That is why they are open to questions and always there to help and support you. In Francisco’s case, he uses different ways to assist and stay connected with interested students from Latin American Countries.
“To maintain a strong connection with prospective and accepted students, I utilise various communication channels such as email, WhatsApp, social media, virtual and telephone call meetups. I ensure that students have all the necessary information and support they need, from the moment they express interest in Wageningen University, the admission process, to their arrival on campus and beyond.”
What really caught my attention were the “welcome dinners” and the effort he puts to sustain the bond with his representative community culture – “I try to organize welcome dinners with the new students and introduce them to current ones through social media and WhatsApp groups. Finally, I promote the development of an active Latino American community in WUR not only with current students but also with alumni.“, shares Francisco.
Relatable perspective and advice for students considering WUR
Francisco shared a personal and relatable insight about himself – something that you as student resonate with! It is both heart-warming and inspiring to see how he feels about being an international representative of WUR:
“One interesting aspect about me is my pleasure in helping others and to enjoy sharing my experiences and tips about studying, living and working in The Netherlands. I hope that my journey and the one from other alumni I have witnessed will inspire Latin American students to study in one of the best universities in the world!”
Lastly, he gave amazing and aspiring advice to anyone who’s considering studying at Wageningen University & Research!
“Embrace the diverse and inclusive international community. Take advantage of the numerous opportunities for growth academically, personally and professionally. Be open to new experiences, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support and guidance throughout your process.”
This concludes the blog! I hope you got to learn more about WUR’s international representatives, and don’t hold back to reach out to them. It was inspiring to hear such passionate words and see Francisco’s perspective—many thanks once again for collaborating with us!
Stay tuned for future blogs where more of the representatives will be featured (as well as personal views, stories, and tips once again 😉)!
See you around,
Zlatoslava 😊
