Hello everyone! My name is Thao Pham. I come from Vietnam, and currently, I’m studying MA Media and Culture at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University.
As an international student studying and living far away from home, I have struggled with managing my studies and my life at the same time. I tried focusing on my studies while attending as many job fairs as possible with the hope to find an internship or a part-time job. I was worried that my monthly bills could increase due to the cost-of-living crisis, and I felt like a loser – unemployed and dependent on my family’s support. I usually just travelled to school and back home. I didn’t socialise much to make sure that I wouldn’t overspend. Everything was overwhelming, and sometimes I thought I couldn’t make it.
When I realised many other students experienced the same struggle as mine, I decided to apply for the Welfare Officer position to support them.
Why should you elect me?
I believe I could do my best in this role because…
- I have taken several leadership roles during my undergraduate level in Vietnam, and currently, I’m the Course Representative of the MA Media and Culture course.
- I have completed several intensive psychological courses/workshops to gain more insights into mental health problems so that I could deal with my own struggles and support others.
- I have coordinated 3 mental health projects in Vietnam which mainly support Vietnamese women and teenagers.
What will I do for you?
If you elect me…
- I will campaign to minimise the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on students’ lives by working closely with Course Representatives, other Officers and the Senior Management Team of Leeds Beckett Students’ Union and reaching out to related partners to give advice and provide students with adequate support regarding essential aspects: food, transport, accommodation, and so on.
- I will discuss with and seek advice from the School of Health and cooperate with other organisations to hold Mental Health Check-in Sessions (weekly) and Mental Health Care Talks (monthly). These activities will engage students, raise their awareness of mental health, and provide prompt support which is restricted by available mental health care services.
- I will ensure all students (especially, international students, students from adverse backgrounds or minority groups, and disabled students) feel a sense of belonging at Leeds Beckett University by chatting with them frequently, working with staff and schools, course representatives, and student leaders to involve everyone in helpful activities and elevate their voices.
Interested in what I proposed? Vote for me – Thao Pham – to be your next Welfare Officer!