New International Student Society launched at FVC

A new International Student Society has been launched at Forth Valley College to celebrate the remarkable global diversity of its student community, and create new opportunities for students from different cultures and backgrounds to connect.
 
The new Society, the brainchild of Global Partnership Manager Jamie Allan, was officially launched on Tuesday 15 September as part of FVC’s Welcome Week activities at the Falkirk Campus, with students invited to sign up and help shape its future programme of events and activities.
 
The launch follows analysis of FVC’s student population which revealed just how international the College community already is.
 
Over the five academic years from 2021–22 to 2025–26, an extraordinary 105 nationalities have been represented among FVC students, spanning six continents and more than 100 countries and territories.
 
The College’s global footprint is particularly strong across Africa, which accounts for 37% of the nationalities represented, followed by South Asia and the Middle East at 28%, Europe at 17%, East and Southeast Asia at 11%, and the Americas and Caribbean at 7%.
 
Nigeria, India and Pakistan lead FVC’s international representation, with the College’s top 15 also including Romania, Poland, Syria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, the Philippines, France, the United States, China, Iraq and Germany.
 
It was the discovery of this diversity that helped Jamie inspire the creation of the International Student Society in collaboration with Katarzyna Slapek, FVSA Student Engagement Coordinator, and former FVSA Vice President Monika Smith, providing a new platform through which students can celebrate the cultures, experiences and perspectives already represented across the College.
 
The launch brought an international flavour to Welcome Week, with students encouraged to decorate biscuits with the flags of countries from around the world while finding out more about the Society and meeting fellow students.
 
Importantly, the International Student Society is not only for students who have travelled from overseas to study at FVC. It is intended to bring together international and domestic students alike, providing opportunities to make new friends, experience different cultures and develop connections that cross borders.
 
The Society will soon be shaped by its student members, with potential activities including cultural celebrations, international food and social events, trips, guest speakers and language exchanges.
 
Its creation also comes as Forth Valley College significantly expands its international activity, developing new relationships with colleges, universities, governments and industry around the world while increasing opportunities for international student recruitment and student mobility.
 
FVC’s International Strategy includes ambitions to increase international student enrolment and expand opportunities for students to gain international exposure, with new recruitment networks, international partnerships and degree pathway models already under development.
 
Jamie Allan, FVC Global Partnerships Manager, said: “The idea for the International Student Society actually came from looking more closely at our student population and discovering just how remarkably diverse FVC already is.
 
“To find that 105 nationalities have been represented at the College in just five academic years, across six continents and more than 100 countries and territories, was quite an eye-opener. We have this incredible international community already here in Forth Valley that I don’t think many people realised was there, and we should be celebrating it.
 
“The Society gives us a way of bringing that community together, but importantly it isn’t just for international students. We want students from across the College to join, meet people they might otherwise never meet, experience different cultures and ultimately shape what the Society becomes.
 
“As FVC becomes increasingly connected internationally, we want our students here in Forth Valley to feel the benefits of that too. Internationalisation isn’t simply about where we travel or the partnerships we develop overseas. It should enrich the experience of everyone studying at the College.”

Monika Smith, former FVSA Vice President, said: “I was thrilled when I heard that I would be leading an International Student Society. To be honest with you this was out of blue news. I have been involved in planning meetings and promoting activities during our Welcome Week event at Falkirk Campus. As a former FVSA Vice President and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) student I met incredible students from around the world. I also tried food from different countries and I saw hand-made stuff that students made. Thank you to all of you who had a chat with us at the Welcome Week and see you soon. I am looking forward to seeing the how the International Student Society develops and would just like to add that ‘Everyone smiles in the same language’.”

Katarzyna Slapek, FVSA Student Engagement Coordinator, said: “From an FVSA perspective, creating a space where students from different cultures and backgrounds can come together, connect and learn from one another is something we have always hoped to see happen. That is why I am so pleased to see the International Student Society become a reality.

“I am particularly delighted that Monika has taken the opportunity to help lead this initiative. As a former FVSA Vice President and ESOL student, she understands first-hand the value of building connections and creating a sense of belonging for students from around the world.

“I am also very grateful to Jamie for his enthusiasm, vision and commitment to developing the Society. His passion for recognising the incredible diversity within our student community has been instrumental in bringing this idea to life.

“I believe this is just the beginning, and I look forward to continuing to work together to support the Society's growth. I am excited to see the friendships, cultural exchanges and opportunities that will emerge as students shape its future and help make it a vibrant part of College life.”
 
Details about the first meeting of the International Student Society will be circulated to students in the near future, with students encouraged to form the committee and get involved, suggest activities and play an active role in shaping its future.
 
FVC hopes the Society will become an established part of College life, helping students arriving from overseas feel at home in Forth Valley, while opening a window to the world for the wider student community.

Until the first meeting details are publicised, students can contact students.association@forthvalley.ac.uk  with any queries.