Interview

Connecting Students who face Unique Challenges

This academic year we are launching a new initiative called StudentsSupportStudents; a student-led community designed to connect those WUR students who face unique challenges, whether due to neurodiversity, disability, mental health issues, or responsibilities such as parenting or giving informal care to a family member.

Heleen Franssen - Programme Lead Student Wellbeing - took the initiative and found three highly motivated student assistants to pull the cart and create an interactive platform for and by WUR students.

Heleen explains: “In 2023 we started the monthly No WURries-student support group. We noticed very quickly that this group serves a greater need than just a monthly face-to-face meeting can fulfil. Proof of that is a No WURries WhatsApp group regularly meeting for lunch.

Not all students attend actual meetings, but the need for connection is very high. StudentsSupportStudents aim to facilitate this connection. As professionals, we deliberately stay at a distance. The platform is ‘powered by Student Training & Support’ but run by students.”

Meet the Team

Wietske Oosterkamp - Students Support Students

WietskeDid her bachelor's in Utrecht, now second year MSc Forest and Nature Conservation in Wageningen.

"Finding the support you need is a challenge at WUR. Even when support is available, I had a lot of trouble finding the right help; it felt like I had to do everything on my own. I think I had to explain myself no less than eleven times before I really felt heard. Last year I joined the No WURries group and learned about this initiative. I am really motivated to help make life at WUR easier for other students.”

Aline Zamorro - Students Support Students

Aline is a 2nd year MSc Nutrition and Health student. She comes from Brazil and started working at age 15. She did all her studies in the evenings while working a full-time job during the day.

"Yes, but that was in my home town and in my mother tongue," she says. "Coming here was overwhelming, and that is an understatement. Luckily, I was very motivated to make it work, but it wasn't easy. I am usually reluctant to join groups of people, but I pulled myself together and went to the No WURries meeting. That was a great decision; it was such a welcoming atmosphere and I found a lot of like-minded people there. For me, being involved in StudentsSupportStudents provides a great opportunity to help fellow students and to ‘fill the gap’ in support I felt myself.”

Imke Grutters - Students Support Students

Imke is the third member of the student team. She is still enjoying her holidays, and like Aline, she is a 2nd year MSc Nutrition & Health student.