Please enter search keywords
5 min read
Since its establishment, APU has been striving to maintain an environment where students can be fully immersed in a dynamic and active college life. Besides multicultural and interdisciplinary classes, APU students are encouraged to participate in field studies, exchange programs, academic and cultural communities, etc. Among these activities, students also play a special role as APU Student Staff.
APU Student Staff are members of circles and organizations mostly run by students with the support and guidance of APU’s offices. Each circle is organized to support one aspect of student life, such as admissions or adapting to college life. Below are some of the best examples, and more information about these circles can be found on the APU Student Services website.
- Student Activity Station (SAS)
- Student Press Assistant (SPA)
- Global Admission Student Staff (GASS)
- Academic and Learning Core Staff (ARLCS)
- Fellow Advisory Group (FLAG)
So, why have some APU students decided to become Student Staff and what are the benefits of these positions? Let’s talk to Ngo Anh Thy (Thy), a member of ARLCS, and FLAG member Hsu Mon Oo (Xing) to answer these questions!
Ngo Anh Thy (Thy) – ARLCS member
Vietnam, APS 3rd semester
As an ARLCS member who works around four hours per week, Thy’s main duties are organizing events and creating a comfortable environment in the library for students. Working under the guidance of the Academic Office, she is in charge of promoting a positive and inclusive atmosphere and hosting Biblio Battles, book-reviewing battles that APU students can join.
She came across ARLCS’s recruitment notice in her first semester and joined the application guidance with a pure desire to engage in school activities. There, she witnessed the work ethics and enthusiasm of the circle’s staff and felt that she could gain a great deal of knowledge as an ARLCS member. After that, she applied and has been working as a Student Staff since her second semester at APU. Only after she joined did she realize that besides professionalism and formality, the circle also prioritizes the creation of bonds and connections among members, leaders, and library staff.
Hsu Mon Oo, or Xing, also had her first experience as a Student Staff in her second semester as a member of FLAG. Aiming to “become the best senior for younger students,” she has participated in many FLAG events, like off-campus shopping tours and on-campus welcome events. While helping students adapt to college life and working under the guidance of the Student Office, she highlights many benefits from her two-month tenure so far, including:
These are just some of the advantages of being a Student Staff. Depending on the circle or job title, the duties and benefits may vary accordingly. However, Xing considers this to be a win-win situation as it allows you to both provide a lot and gain a lot in return. When asked if she would apply for this job again, she clearly stated: “Definitely!... It would be very worth it!”
Hsu Mon Oo (Xing) - FLAG member
Myanmar, APM 3rd semester
Unlike many other part-time jobs, on-campus Student Staff positions can be demanding sometimes due to requests from the offices and the hosting of large-scale events. These roles require students to have professional work ethics and the responsibility to fulfill all of their duties. In one way or another, these circles can better prepare and introduce students to the job-hunting and working culture in Japan, as students may be asked to comply with certain rules and norms. APU Student Staff are the representatives of APU in many aspects, so students must be aware of their behavior and act responsibly to preserve APU’s charm and the uniqueness of a dynamic college life.
Hi guys! I'm Thanh (or Trish), a second-semester APS student from Vietnam. My love for Vietnamese poems and literature gave rise to my current passion for writing. Hope that through my articles, I can share with everyone the charms of APU and informative aspects of our university lives. Feel free to contact me, for both a chat and a cup of macchiato!
Copyright (c) 2016 Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
