Volunteering opportunities and getting involved

The Global Study Lounge welcomes students and staff who wish to get involved with the Lounge’s existing activities and events, or who want to set up and run something themselves.

Volunteering is a great way for students to get more out of their university experience beyond their academic studies. It gives you opportunities to meet people, make friends, learn a skill, and understand others better by getting involved with others on campus and beyond!

Join our mailing list

Sign up to the Global Study Lounge and International Student mailing list to be kept informed of what’s going on in the Lounge and with the International Student Experience team.

Get involved with the Global Study Lounge

Conversation Cafés

The Global Study Lounge hosts in-person and online Conversation Cafés. The cafés always welcome new participants, wherever you may be on your language journey. Proficient and fluent speakers are also very welcome to attend.

Interested in our in-person cafés? You're welcome to turn up at a café on the day and time it’s running. There is nothing else you need to do!

Interested in our online café? Register via our sign-up link, noting your availability. You can join online from wherever you wish, or you’re welcome to bring your device and headphones and connect from within the Global Study Lounge.

Running and Hosting an Event or Activity (Staff and Students)

If you already run an event or activity, or wish to set one up, and would like to (re-)locate it in the Global Study Lounge, please contact the Director of the Global Study Lounge, Daniel Devane, via d.devane@reading.ac.uk to discuss, or you can book the Global Study Lounge directly by emailing isli-admin@reading.ac.uk.

The Global Study Lounge’s availability is also accessible on CMISGo by searching for EM230, EM230POD1, EM230POD2, or EM230POD3.

NB: There may be more volunteering opportunities in the Global Study Lounge in the future. Please check this page for updates.

Additional Volunteering Opportunities at Reading

There are many volunteering opportunities at Reading, whether they be on campus, online, or in the local community. Volunteering is a great way for international students to immerse themselves in student life as well as in the local community and culture. For more information about volunteering opportunities at Reading, check out the Essentials Volunteering webpages.

Some examples of helping other students include becoming:

a Buddy Volunteer. You can make a difference by helping others to make friends by practicing your mother language(s) with students currently learning it, by motivating others to adopt healthier habits, or by being a study partner.

a STaR Mentor. You can be a friendly face to new students as they arrive to study at the University of Reading, answering any questions they may have and providing insight into what university is all about as a Student Transition at Reading (STaR) Mentor.

a PAL leader. You can become a leader for Peer Assisted Learning (PAL). PAL is an academic study scheme offered in modules that are known to be difficult, where students are guided through course concepts by their PAL Leader, who has been trained in group-facilitation techniques.

an International Ambassador. You can continue volunteering even after you’ve graduated. Alumni who become International Ambassadors help the Global Recruitment and Admissions team to recruit students from your region to study at Reading by speaking to prospective students about your experience of living and studying in the UK.

Your volunteering experience can be used as evidence towards the RED Awards.