INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR
As the international coordinator, you follow the international policy of KU Leuven (Leuven campus) and the city of Leuven. You regularly meet with the International Student Cell. Additionally, you are the final responsible person for several activities. Together with the staff member, you are a point of contact for international students, International Student Associations (ISAs), and the international coordinators of the circles. Since you work in a multicultural environment, proficiency in the English language is a requirement.
Furthermore, you contribute to long-term projects, such as Think Abroad and the planning of the Orientation Days. Finally, you coordinate the operations of LOKO International and supervise interns, project staff, and the staff member. In addition to this role within your subdomain, you are also a board member of LOKO itself. You help guide the entire organization and also support your colleagues to successfully carry out all activities organized by LOKO.
WHAT KIND OF PROFILE ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
You have an interest in internationalization and the Think Abroad concept. You are open to a multicultural environment. You are fluent in both languages (Dutch-English), written and spoken. You are willing to volunteer for a full academic year within LOKO, especially during peak times when international students arrive in Leuven.
TIME COMMITMENT
You will attend meetings relevant to your role. You will monitor international policy and discuss decisions at the Work Meeting (WM) International. You supervise the staff member International and also follow up on project staff and any interns. Moreover, you stay informed about questions/proposals from the International Students Cell. You are responsible for organizing the LOKO part of the Orientation Days (including International Parties) and Think Abroad. You are available in September and during the class-free week, when many fresh international students make their entrance in Leuven!
MEETINGS
As a coordinator at LOKO, you are also expected to attend a number of meetings. The number of meetings may seem quite extensive. In practice, they are usually well spread out and it all works out fine. If you can't make it once, that's not a disaster. We are all volunteers among ourselves.
- WORK MEETING (WM) INTERNATIONAL
As a coordinator, you chair the work meeting (WM) of your department. For International, this takes place on average once every one and a half months. At the WM the representatives of the student circles from the same area of interest come together. You discuss the organization of events and check representation matters with like-minded individuals before bringing them to the WV Student Policy.
- EXECUTIVE BOARD (DaBu)
As a member of the DaBu, you follow the meetings. These take place on average once a week. In these meetings, you address the more practical and day-to-day operations of LOKO: from changes in sub-budgets to discussing small and large problems and challenges for the team.
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS (RvB)
Every so often, a Board of Directors meeting takes place. Together with some more experienced (former) LOKO board members, you will discuss the long-term files and the larger budget changes.
- GENERAL OFFICE (AB)
You also sit on the General Office. Here, all volunteers from LOKO - DaBu and representatives, possibly also project staff - come together and discuss the progress made in the past period. Additionally, you prepare files and notes for the AB that will then be presented to the AV. The AB takes place biweekly during the teaching weeks and is usually followed by a small team-building activity: the après-AB.
- GENERAL MEETING (AV) & WORK MEETING (WV) STUDENT POLICY
Alternating with the AB, the General Meeting & Work Meeting Student Policy – AV & WV Student Policy – takes place biweekly on Friday evenings. You support, together with the other DaBu members, the chairperson where needed. In the AV, board matters concerning the internal organization of LOKO are discussed, while in the WV Student Policy we address representation issues. All student representatives from the student circles come together to take positions and make decisions on matters that concern their students. As the international coordinator, you are needed to propose a specific agenda item or to mentally support your LOKO colleagues. After the AV/WV, we head to a fakbar to get to know each other better!
- MANDATE MEETINGS
Depending on your role, you are also part of those meetings for which you are specifically elected. For example, there is the consultation with the International Students Cell (NL), possibly a sub-office with project staff and interns (ENG or NL)...
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU?
You follow up on the relevant meetings and prepare them, you also have the ultimate responsibility for the international events of LOKO. You supervise a staff member, volunteers, and interns. As a board member, you participate in the operation and management of LOKO and commit to helping out in other departments where and when needed.
WHAT DO YOU GET IN RETURN?
The LOKO team and the students/partners you work with create a young and appreciative environment. You get the chance to learn to hold meetings and collaborate, as well as to meet many interesting people and network within the student world. You gain experience in organizing various events. For example, organizing the Orientation Days is extremely rewarding: international students get the chance to get to know each other and Leuven thanks to you. Finally, you have the opportunity to help shape the integration and international policy of KU Leuven and the city of Leuven.
PLACES: 1
TEAMMATES
You work closely with the international representatives, the staff member(s), and the interns. You receive support from the other DaBu members.
ARE YOU INTERESTED?
You will be put in touch with the current international coordinator, who will explain the full scope of the role and bring you up to speed on recent issues. Are you convinced? Great! Then you can submit your application by email to loko@loko.be, including your CV and a cover letter. As an international coordinator, you’ll also draft a vision document, usually in consultation with the rest of the incoming DaBu. You’ll then receive the questions you need to prepare for your election. After that, you’ll go through the election procedure at the General Assembly. Don’t worry! It might all sound a bit daunting, but you’re never on your own: the current and incoming LOKO team are happy to guide you and are always ready to help.