Building Block 3: “Ambassadorship”: Seeing What’s Possible
Every day in Brussels, there are adults with talent, ambition, and dreams who never take the step toward higher education. Not because they lack the ability, but because pursuing an education doesn’t seem like an obvious option to them. Often, there’s no one there to say, “Yes, that’s possible for you, too.”
Through “Together for a Diploma” (SvD), EVA bxl aims to help break down those barriers. Based on discussions with students, partners, and advisors, a support model with five building blocks was developed: mentoring, network building, ambassadorship, language support, and study spaces. Each building block contributes in its own way to increasing the chances of academic success.
In this article, we focus on the third building block: advocacy.
The Power of Recognition
For many people, higher education is an unfamiliar world. No one in their circle went on to higher education, so they don’t know what options are available or aren’t sure if they belong at a college or university.
That is why SvD works with ambassadors: people who have taken the step toward higher education themselves and had to overcome obstacles along the way. Their stories make pursuing a degree feel tangible. They show that earning a degree is possible, even when the path isn’t straightforward.
An ambassador does not provide academic advising or take on a mentoring role. What ambassadors do, however, is something just as valuable: they offer perspective. By sharing their stories, they shed light on opportunities that would otherwise often remain hidden.
Ambassadors as Bridge Builders
Ambassadors are volunteers who draw on their own experiences to inspire and inform others. Some are former students of “Samen voor een Diploma,” while others found their way into higher education through their own unique paths.
They come into contact with people who are unsure about pursuing an education or who have never dared to ask themselves that question. This can happen during an inspiration session, through social media, in the workplace, within organizations, or simply within their own network.
Often, it’s not just prospective students they reach. Employers, program coordinators, teachers, social workers, volunteers, and other key figures also play an important role. By informing these intermediaries as well, they increase the likelihood that talented adults will find their way to support.
In this way, the ambassador program serves as a bridge between people interested in pursuing higher education and the support that can help them move forward.
A Real-Life Story
Ambassadors like Kifayat and Fatima demonstrate just how powerful personal stories can be. As former participants in the “Together for a Diploma” program, they share their experiences during information sessions for prospective students. Their testimonials make pursuing a degree seem tangible and attainable.
For Kifayat, who came to Belgium from Afghanistan, the support he received from “Samen voor een Diploma” made a huge difference. Today, he tells others what steps they can take, what challenges he faced along the way, and what support helped him move forward. In this way, he shares his experiences with people who are now facing important decisions of their own.
More Than Just a Testimony
Within “Together for a Diploma,” the role of ambassador is not an isolated one. Ambassadors receive training, support, and the opportunity to further develop their stories. They become familiar with the educational landscape, discover which organizations can support people, and actively contribute ideas on how to further expand the program’s operations.
Their experiences also provide valuable insights. By listening to what matters to prospective students, SvD continues to learn where barriers exist and what kind of support is needed.
At the same time, ambassadors help convey a broader social message: talent is everywhere. Opportunities to develop that talent, however, are not always available.
A First Step Toward a Degree
Ambassadors are often at the beginning of a journey. Sometimes, a single encounter is enough to help someone else look toward the future.
As soon as someone decides to take the plunge, the other building blocks of “Samen voor een Diploma” come into play. A mentor provides support as a companion on the journey; strengthening one’s network creates a supportive environment; language support increases the chances of academic success; and study spaces provide a place to focus on learning.
Together, these building blocks form an integrated support model in which no one is left to fend for themselves.
From Student to Ambassador
A unique aspect of this building block is that it creates a cycle. Students who successfully complete their program can later become ambassadors themselves. Their stories, in turn, inspire new generations of students.
This is how a community of people grows—people who not only improve their own opportunities but also those of others.
Call for Participation
Have you earned a higher education degree yourself and would you like to inspire others to take the same step? Become an ambassador for “Samen voor een Diploma.” Contact us or fill out the online form. We’d love to meet you.