Being one of Brock University’s International Student Ambassadors has been a life-changing experience for Nethra Balaji.

Thanks to the mental health training she received as an ambassador, and the support of the Brock faculty and staff, the first-year Medical Science student realized she has ADHD.

Balaji, who was born in India and grew up in Abu Dhabi, credits the Brock community with helping her to navigate her diagnosis. It’s that kind of support that she aims to provide to others as an International Student Ambassador.

This team of dedicated students works with Brock International to support international students by connecting them with campus resources and facilitating community-building events.

Applications for the International Student Ambassador Award Program are now open for the 2026-27 academic year and will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. Up to 10 ambassadors will be selected.

Ambassadors, who are required to dedicate 80 hours to the role throughout the Fall and Winter Terms, receive assistance towards the cost of studying in Canada.

Being able to contribute to the cost of her education was one of the reasons Balaji decided to apply for the award. She was also drawn to the opportunity to explore her interest in other cultures.

“If you enjoy cultural differences, if you enjoy diversity, if you enjoy connecting with people and building a community, this is exactly what being an ambassador entails,” she says.

Balaji has particularly enjoyed working on events, including planning a celebration of Indian culture with two of her fellow ambassadors.

Learning about other cultures has been a highlight of Po-Jui (Ray) Lin’s experience as an International Student Ambassador.

“Not only do I get to share my culture with others, but I also get to learn about theirs too. These cultural exchanges are absolutely my highlights. With every event that I attend, I leave richer in knowledge,” he says.

The fourth-year Medical Sciences student applied for the award after feeling isolated as someone living alone in a new country. Now in his second year as an ambassador, he says he has helped to welcome hundreds of international students to Brock.

Being able to support and empathize with fellow international students has been a rewarding experience for Lin and one that he says has helped him grow as a person.

His own academic journey has taken some detours, but with guidance from Brock faculty and staff, Lin has found the right fit in the Medical Sciences program and is now completing an undergraduate thesis on cancer immunotherapy.

“Our International Student Ambassador Program is built on peer support, empowering students to guide and uplift one another. Serving in this role fosters leadership and resilience while giving back to the community,” says Amy Ahn, Manager, International Student Supports. “Nethra and Ray truly embody the community-minded spirit we value and Brock International is incredibly proud of their successes so far.”

Visit the Brock International website for more information and application details.