International students, recent graduates and members of Brock University’s international recruitment team came together Wednesday, July 22 to celebrate student success.

The Global Gathering opened with welcoming remarks from Associate Vice-President, International David Begg  and Associate Vice-President, Alumni and Development Rob Gottschalk, who emphasized the importance of connecting international students, alumni and the broader Brock community.

Held in the Global Commons, the event invited students and graduates to share their Brock experiences, from overcoming challenges and finding community to achieving academic, professional and personal growth.

For Joanna Chen, Brock’s in-country recruitment representative in China, meeting students whose journeys she helped support was especially meaningful.

“Meeting current international students and alumni, especially those I recruited from China, was incredibly rewarding,” she said. “Hearing their success stories reinforced the impact of my work and strengthened my pride in representing Brock University.”

Li Mi, President of the Goodman Graduate Business Council and a current Master of Business Administration student, said the gathering highlighted the opportunities available at Brock and in Canada.

“Connecting with outstanding international students and alumni, and hearing their stories of leadership, career success and resilience, motivated me to continue growing and helping others achieve their goals,” she said.

For Mohamed Abd Elraouf, Brock’s in-country recruitment representative for the Middle East and North Africa, hearing Muslim Students’ Association leaders explain how their advocacy helped make the on-campus masjid a reality was particularly impactful.

“Learning how students and University leaders worked together to create the masjid showed me how a true sense of belonging is built,” he said. “It is a powerful example of Brock listening to its students and supporting their diverse needs.”

The gathering reinforced the simple but powerful message that every Brock story matters. By sharing their experiences, students and alumni help future Badgers imagine what may be possible for them at the University and in Canada.

The event was also part of International Student Recruitment Team Development Week, which brought Brock’s recruitment colleagues from several global markets to campus for a week of learning, collaboration and relationship-building.

Team members connected with campus partners to learn about academic programs, advising, experiential learning, career preparation, on campus housing, research opportunities and graduate outcomes. Tours and hands-on activities also allowed them to experience Brock’s facilities and learning environments.

For Gautam Sharma and Gurtej Kaur, members of Brock’s recruitment team in India, the week deepened their understanding of Brock’s student supports.

“What stood out to us is that student support at Brock is not provided by only one office,” Sharma said. “From academic advising and experiential learning to career development, faculty research opportunities and personal support, the entire campus community contributes to student success. We can now speak to prospective students and their families with even greater confidence because we have seen that support first-hand.”

Together, the Global Gathering and Team Development Week strengthened connections between international recruitment colleagues and campus partners while reinforcing a shared commitment to helping international students feel informed before they arrive, welcomed when they begin and supported throughout their Brock journey.