“I couldn’t see myself working anywhere other than in education!” Arjun, staff member of ARU’s International Office, discusses his career in Higher Education and how lockdown has changed his role
Arjun is a member of the International Office team at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. Before this, he worked as part of the Student Services team, helping students’ university experiences run that bit more smoothly. Arjun has an infectious enthusiasm for student wellbeing, here, he tells us more about the work he does and how it’s changed given the new circumstances.
Name: Arjun Patel
Job role: EU and International Recruitment Manager at ARU
Studied: Business Management at ARU
Fun fact: Arjun exercises 5 times per week to balance out his love for chocolate! His workout of choice is callisthenics (similar to gymnastics).
Can you tell us a bit about your career in Higher Education?
“I had been working at Anglia Ruskin University for several years before joining the International Office. I used to work in Student Services, in a frontline role working with students from all over the UK and the world daily, which I found extremely refreshing and enjoyable from the first day that I started! I was supporting students from their first day, meeting and greeting them and setting them up with all they needed for their first few weeks. What I loved then was building relationships with them throughout their studies. Ensuring that students gained a top service and always had someone approachable to speak with was always an extremely rewarding role.”
How did you get into your current role in the International Office?
“I was fortunate to be given an opportunity to join the International Office at Anglia Ruskin University thanks to the work I had done during my Student Services role. Working as an International Manager for the EU & International has been an extremely fun opportunity: I’ve had the chance to meet many people through my travels and interactions, which has been great!”
What does a typical working week look like for you?
“What makes the role great is that it really varies from week to week: I could be flying to other countries to attend events or meet partners, meeting with students, attending events on campus, following up with our offer holders, arranging events with students and follow ups… No day is the same! There is always something different taking place on campus or abroad, so there is always plenty of variety. With my role I attend events around the world, and I now have the pleasure of meeting students there and seeing them again once they arrive on campus to join us at ARU.”
Can you tell us your favourite things about your job?
“I love the fact I travel to countries that I have never been to before or had not thought of visiting, meeting people there and exploring. It is a great privilege to be able to do this. I enjoy attending the events, chatting, meeting with prospective students and talking to them about Anglia Ruskin University. For me, my favourite thing about my job is that I get to speak with students every day, meeting them and helping them to ensure that they have a great student experience, journey and education.”
How has your role adapted whilst you’ve not been able to go abroad?
“We’ve been doing a lot more things online which, for me, includes using CampusConnect to interact with our applicants. It’s been a great way to get immediate support to students and offer updates on a platform that’s more convenient for them. We find it is important to have dialogue with students and for them to have a direct link to the teams, so we’ve been interacting more through online events, virtual sessions and by telephone.”
Are there any new ways of working that you’ll take forward even when things go back to normal?
“Yes indeed. I think using apps such as CampusConnect, as well as hosting virtual pre-departure or conversion events that multiple people can join globally, are things that I would take forward. Nothing beats speaking to students face to face, so I would continue with anything that can bring an element of this to life.”
Would your goal be to continue working in international recruitment?
“Personally, I couldn’t see myself working anywhere other than in education. The rewards of seeing young adults and mature students prevail through many different circumstances and challenges in life is extremely rewarding. Being able to support students with their studies, to be on hand to help them, to see them come out of their shells and to be more confident, engaging and building friendship groups is always a pleasure! These are the main things that I enjoy about my role, and I am incredibly lucky to have a job that I love!”
This year’s incoming students know that their experience will be different to previous cohorts, but Arjun assures us that his team are doing everything they can to make sure students feel welcome and supported when settling into the university: “This year, the majority of events will be held online due to the current situation. However, we will hope to have small face-to-face events that comply with social distancing rules and safety.” Students will receive information about GPs, bank accounts, culture, support services and immigration – without forgetting the all-important social events!