Student Ambassadors: A Pilot Program That is Ready to Take Flight

Being “the new kid” at a new school is an experience that calls for much change. Not being able to recognize the layout, clubs or schedules of their new school can bring challenges. However, it’s an entirely different experience to be a newcomer in the middle of the year or if you are coming from a different school or country. For students who aren’t fortunate enough to be there for freshman orientation, there’s a solution: student ambassadors.  Student Ambassadors is a pilot program, which allows non-transfer students to mentor and help new students from other countries. 

Counselor, sponsor and program director Venesa Ocasio explains the role of student ambassadors. 

“The student ambassadors take on the role of a mentor and an advocate for transfer students, EL students, and students that come from other countries that don’t speak the language,” Ocasio said.

Senior Nicholas Abou Nader moved to the US from Lebanon and says that he got used to his new environment because of his mentor. 

“Senteya gave me her phone number and said to text her whenever I needed help. If I missed a day of school she would check in with me and ask if I was okay and what I needed. She also made me feel welcomed. I didn’t want to come to school at first but once Mrs. Ocasio connected me with a student ambassador, Senteya, I came to school and I am doing well in my classes.  I am so grateful to Mrs. Ocasio and Senteya,” Nader said.  

Ocasio explains why having students talk to their fellow peers is important because it allows them to connect with their classmates and know that they always have a friend to lean on.  The ambassadors are paired with students that they speak similar languages with or have class periods with, they then trade contact information and the students reach out to the ambassadors when they need help.

Junior Nadia Rahma moved from India to the Middle East and is now here in America. She felt nervous about moving schools because the people were different and everything was new to her in the United States, but she explains that her ambassador helped her adjust. 

“Melody was my student ambassador and she was really helpful. I really needed her. Everything was new and the school system here is so different from Qatar,” Rahma says. 

The club does not only help the transfer students but it also provides the ambassadors with useful life lessons and gifts. 

“It’s an award, like when you get a message from a leader saying ‘Hey we have a new student, come meet them.’ It’s something to look forward to because these students don’t have anyone and you being the first face they see is truly rewarding. And it’s so nice to be a friendly face for them.  Student ambassadors has also helped me become more confident in myself and allowed me to meet a lot of different people, and it’s something I look forward to,” sophomore Nagham Abou Tara said. 

It is clear that the student ambassadors have made a positive impact on Niles West.

“The student ambassadors have definitely contributed to the positive culture we have in Niles West and assisted our newcomers by getting them acclimated. They’ve been key at making sure our students have joined a club or activity,” Ocasio says

If the program is renewed for next year, Ocasio and the rest of the team plan to expand their program by helping more students, getting more members, and holding more events.