How the Student Government Association Can Enrich Your Student Life at Webster Vienna

The Student Government Association (SGA) at Webster Vienna Private University was created in 2012. Since then, it has been full of students hoping to make life on campus that much better. As a University, it is important for us to offer clubs, events and activities for students that are designed to entertain, inform and challenge every individual for a meaningful experience outside of the classroom.

We spoke with SGA president, Lara Jenko, who is in her third year as a double major in Management and Psychology. Lara has had a unique experience at WVPU, coming from Slovenia and attending university away from home. She gave us valuable insight into life on campus, as well as details about the SGA that have enhanced her student life immensely. Continue reading to learn how you can join and become a change maker on campus!

Join a Welcoming Community When You Study in Europe

The SGA began 10 years ago as a way to connect the board of directors with the student body. “At the moment it is very important to the office of the directors that we provide them with feedback, and that we provide a connection between them and the students--and that is us! I believe that is the reason why the SGA was first established,” said Lara.

SGA president, Lara Jenko: “Accessing a supportive and welcoming community when you study in Europe will help you thrive academically and personally.”

Lara stated that all WVPU students are welcome to join and get involved with the SGA while they study in Europe. “Whenever we have open positions we post on different social media - Instagram and Facebook mostly - and we also spread posters around campus. That’s how students can apply and actually hold a spot within the SGA,” she said. “But even if students aren’t an officer and don’t hold a position, they can always join our meetings, bring ideas, listen, and just talk to us. You can still be involved if you don’t hold an actual position,” she added.

Lara wanted to highlight the welcoming nature of the SGA, pointing out “we want people to know that the SGA isn’t a secluded group, you can always drop by the office and always tell us what you feel.”

Take on a Role as a Student Advocate With the SGA

“We are giving students a voice on an administrative level,” said Lara. “For example, we have some feedback hours, and we bring these topics up to directors. We try to give students this comfortable environment where they feel like they can come to us for whatever they need.”

In supporting student concerns and needs, the SGA advocates for each individual on campus. “In Vienna, we have people from a lot of different cultures, and sometimes people have trouble integrating, so we help with that also,” she added.

“We connect students with events outside of meetings,” she said. “Last semester we held Open Door Day, trying to tell people that the SGA is always open to anyone, and we also had an ice skating event and climate change workshop that were open to all students and allowed for students to join and meet others.”

Having the opportunity to attend these events with your peers will help you build a strong sense of belonging, knowing that you share passions with your classmates and also that your needs are seen by the SGA.

Involvement with the SGA allows individuals to become advocates for the student body

Form Sincere Relationships With Your Peers by Serving Others

We asked Lara what it was like being a part of the SGA. “We’re all students, undergraduate mostly and some graduate,” she said. “We all hold different office positions, and most officers have our assistants. We have counselors for each department, and a vice president and president.”

Having a group of supportive peers to lean on and collaborate with to make a difference on campus can completely change your student life experience when you study in Vienna.

In regards to anyone thinking about joining the SGA, Lara said that if she could tell them anything, “I would say to do it! I think you meet a lot of new students - I may be biased here but we are a pretty cool group. I have met a lot of my closest friends through the SGA,” she said. “Secondly, you will learn a lot. Different positions will teach you different things. Overall, I think you learn leadership, organizational skills, teamwork, and discipline even. And it’s fun!”

Interested in earning your bachelor degree in Austria?

Contact Webster Vienna Private University for more information!