Hello fellas,

I am Marcus Wong. Essex University has given me the opportunity to be an EBS Mathematics Mentor, head of the Cycling Club’s committee and Treasurer of the Hong Kong Society. Currently, I am in my final year of BSc Accounting and Finance. My time at Essex started three years ago and I can honestly say it has been a wild journey. The reason why I am running for VP International is simple. I want to give you the representation you deserve. It is time for our students to get as much back as we give to this university.

WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE FOR ME?

1. To ensure that your time, money, and effort at Essex are well spent

As students, we pay quite a lot of fees to the university, whether it is the tuition fee – which is £9,250 for national students and up to £19,250 for international students – or the accommodation fee, and that is without counting our daily living expenses. The university should set up a wide range of financial support systems varying from scholarships, bursaries or study loans which could be allocated to students who have contributed greatly to the academic, cultural and social performance of Essex. The rate in which fees continue to grow it a big concern and it does take a toll on student’s day-to-day life, mounting the feeling of being pressured, especially for low-income students. It is time to be united, to strengthen the bond between students and staff, food prices and parking charges. Additionally, more events – such as the Thursday square market, which everyone absolutely loves – should be held. Instead of simply having them on Thursdays, it would be fantastic if it was every other day.

2. To strengthen our Cultural Societies' cohesiveness by collaborating on various social events

Our university takes pride in its diversity. However, I do believe that there is currently a lack of collaboration between the Student Union and Societies. For instance, one of my visions is to integrate diverse cultural societies together to organise an international formal that everyone at Essex University can attend and enjoy. In addition, there are several events and festivals that represent several cultures at this university. It would be good if we all had the chance to stand out and show off our diversity to the rest of the student body, such as the Thai water carnivals or more representation of our Latin, African, and Asian students' dance festivals. Furthermore, we would like to see our Southend and Loughton campuses become more involved, thus I believe that transportation should be provided from the university so that you can attend our events and vice versa.

3.To assist newcomers at Essex in becoming more integrated into our community

At first, I had no friends and felt a little lost when I first arrived at university. It took me a long time to figure out where I was on campus. That is something I do not want to happen to our future students. As a result, it would be ideal if students could feel more at ease when away from home. I really liked the SU's motivation to create a Welcome Pack Project for our international students to familiarise themselves with the ways of life in England. Students could quickly access other resources, such as videos delivered from the university’s student body, developing a community group chat to provide communication from peer to peer while getting a better sense of their prospective surroundings before they arrive. I want to make you feel involved and welcome.

4. For our student’s wellbeing, health and safety

Women's safety is one area on which I would like to emphasize. I want your voices to be heard. I want you to feel secure and supported while you're on campus. As a university, student mental health is critical. Although it is beneficial to work and play hard, finding the right balance can be tough. I would like to make your life a little easier. Many students nowadays suffer from stress and anxiety. Yet, this is meant to be a truly memorable moment of your life. Yet, this is meant to be a fun and unforgettable part of your life. To accomplish this, I will work hard to ensure that the university pays greater attention to your wellbeing and needs. This can no longer be undermined. This generation of students has been through a lot, and mental health has to be prioritised, especially while we are overworking on our studies, trying to survive the pandemic, and balancing our academic and social lives while adjusting to university life. In addition, there is a need to increase the range of meals available on campus, as there are now only a few possibilities. The scope of our cuisine should be vast. More vegan food options, such as alternate milk sources, and lower prices in campus stores and vending machines are needed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do feel free to contact me and share. I am here to listen and take action. My Instagram is marcuswong_888.