Lauren Stevens
Master's student of Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research
31years • Tampere
Summary
I am Master's student of Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research seeking a traineeship or internship. My previous positions include customer service through catering, teaching English, and volunteering with various organisations. I gained my intercultural awareness and ability to communicate through learning German, Spanish, and Finnish, which included, respectively, two exchanges to Germany, working as an English Language Assistant in Spain, and moving to Finland to study my Master’s degree.
Skills
Experiences
General Assistant
English Language Assistant
Kitchen Associate
Data Collector
Sales Assistant
Sales Assistant
Education & training
University Of Tampere
University Of Chester
The Henley College
Chiltern Edge Secondary School
My soft skills
Languages spoken
English Native language Spanish Basic German Basic Finnish Intermediate
Extra-professional Experiences
Acting Secretary
Tipsy (Tampere International Peace Students’ Yawl)• Taking and distributing board meeting minutes • Ensuring the minutes are scrutinised by two people • Updating and managing the membership and alumni lists
Vice Chairman
United Nations Women Local Committee Of Tampere• Co-organising a film and discussion evening on the role of women in conflict situations in Arab states with Amnesty International and the Tampere United Nations Association • Organising and promoting our stand at the Aatemarkkinat Idea Fair at the University of Tampere
Content Writer
MeletiappSupporting students' integration to become part of the student and university community by ensuring them a smooth start for their studies and required attention along the way based on a cooperative tutoring concept developed in Finland. A bridge builder between international talents and companies looking to go international or strengthen a previously foothold in certain market areas. Offering recruitment and staffing service for companies looking for part-time and project-based employees from international students. http://www.meletiapp.com/ • Website content creation: values, mission, and vision • Proofreading • Participating in the Demola (open innovation platform of the higher education institutions in Tampere) Startup Accelerator Program and attending the New Factory (an innovation centre and business incubator) Fall Kick-Off
Member
Student Union Of The University Of Tampere (Tamy) Committee For Environmental AffairsEditing two videos that provide directions to the university recycling room and allotment
Member
Student Union Of The University Of Tampere (Tamy) Committee For Development Cooperation• Participating in the organisation of a control point for Tamy's Downtown Orienteering 2017, which involved teams being randomly given containers of different sizes in order to transport water from one point to another in the fastest time, demonstrating inequalities • Organising and promoting our stand at the Aatemarkkinat Idea Fair at the University of Tampere
Minä luen sinulle -kampanja ('I read to you' campaign)
SelkokeskusParticipating in the 'I read to you' campaign, part of the Finnish 100-year independence celebration in which immigrants studying the Finnish language read simple texts to the elderly or people with learning disabilities.
Tutor
Asap Asylum Seekers + Students Assembly Project• ASAP is a cooperation project of the Student Union of University of Tampere (Tamy) and the Student Union of Tampere University of Technology (TTYY) • The aim of the project is to familiarise asylum seekers and university students with each other and with each other’s cultures
'Unite the Armies' Campaigner
Vihreä Elämänsuojelun Liitto Ry'Unite the Armies' is a campaign by 'Vihreä Elämänsuojelun Liitto ry' ('The Green Association for the Protection of Life') for a new global role for the military. Assistance should also be used to defend us against gradual disasters, in addition to the current commonly accepted assistance in the areas affected by sudden disasters. • Distributing posters • Proofreading emails
Secretary
United Nations Association Of Tampere• Helped at a stall asking people to participate in the Finnish Red Cross' campaign to write pledges against racism during Finland's anti-racism week. Afterwards, we compiled the main points and displayed them on the notice board in the main building. https://twitter.com/YKyhdistys/status/844521617300602881 • Helping at a stall collecting second hand items such as mobile phones, laptops, and craft items, for the ‘Apu-Paku’ organisation, which is a development organisation working at the Gambian countryside. The organisation has a school in Pakau Penku village, where the population consists of around 500 inhabitants, and a small farm. All the donations were delivered to Gambia in June 2017. • Chairing the autumn meeting 2017, in which elections for the 2018 board were held. • Writing blog posts https://tayk.fi/2017/05/09/model-united-nations-in-helsinki-model-european-union-in-vienna/ • Collecting our internationality award at the University of Tampere Student Union (Tamy)’s 92nd anniversary celebrations
Amateur photographer
Freelance• Appeared in the ‘Finland Through International Photographers’ Lens’ exhibition organised by a cafe called 'Coffee or Tea' in Tampere • Appeared in an exhibition that showed various viewpoints of Finland of photographers from different cultures organised by the Student Union of Tampere University of Technology's TT-kamerat • Asked to take photos at a public event
Member
United Nations Women Local Committee Of Tampere• Organising and participating in events, namely an International Women's Day march • Co-organising a film and discussion evening on female leadership with Amnesty International and Plan • Co-organising a picnic with the Tampere United Nations Association, Amnesty International, and Tampere European Youth
Campus Tour Guide
University Of TampereGave two 45-minute campus tours for new international students during the Orientation Week 2016.
International Tutor
University Of Tampere• Helping international students to get accustomed to their new study environment and student life at the University of Tampere • Attending training sessions • Speaking about my experience as an international student, and what I think tutors should take into consideration, for around 40 other international tutors at a training session
Participant for research studies and experiments
Various• The effect of prosody on the listening comprehension of Finnish as a foreign language • Psychological responses to different environments • Video-based collaboration • Psychology and economics in Quantitative Social Research • Finnish language learning through the use of GPS • Psychology and perceptions of Russia • Artificial intelligence and speech recognition-assisted pronunciation learning • Haptic and Gaze
Tampere Ambassador
Business Tampere• Part of an Ambassador network which connects internationally and business oriented people and enhances the international image of Tampere • Participating in the internationalisation of the region • Developing my professional networking • Attending three networking events • Supporting, exchanging, and developing new ideas http://talenttampere.fi/talents/applying-for-universities-in-tampere http://talenttampere.fi/networks/tampere-all-bright-ambassador-lauren-stevens • Giving a presentation about the work of the Tampere Ambassador network during the official nomination of the Student Ambassadors of South-West Finland at Turku town hall http://talenttampere.fi/ambassadors/ambassadors-lauren-and-mira-presenting-tampere-at-turku-finland • Writing articles http://tampereallbrightmagazine.fi/blog/living-in-tampere https://talenttampere.fi/stories/job-opportunities-for-international-students-in-tampere • Proofreading four business texts https://talenttampere.fi/network-map • Attending a lunch with the Mayor of Tampere Anna-Kaisa Ikonen at the town hall for the recognition of the most active ambassadors and the announcement of the ambassador of the year • Appearing in the Ambassador handbook https://www.dropbox.com/s/55qr67noldvoxv0/2017-08-25%2008.00.40.jpg?dl=0 • Participating in an action and assisting groups workshop. Action groups are in charge of planning and executing ambassador activities in 2017, and are available for the monthly meetings, participating in the activities of the group, and completing the mission of the group. Members of assisting groups can help with research, contacts, content, ideas and organising the events. • Visiting Mediapolis Tampere, where we saw the studio of the television show Uusi Päivä, and we were in the audience of the live Nenäpäivä (Red Nose Day) urheilu (sports) show. • Visiting a fingerprint identification local business called Deltabit. • Presenting the network to visiting entrepreneur Kajal Sanghrajka.
School Visitor
Erasmus In SchoolsSpending 11 hours visiting Finnish primary, secondary and sixth form schools talking to students about England and English, answering their questions in order to share my experiences, encourage their engagement with learning English, and learning more about the Finnish culture and schooling system.
Student Ambassador
University Of Tampere• Representing the University of Tampere (UTA) to prospective international students • Answering applicants' questions in various media and providing an authentic student perspective • Writing articles http://blogs.uta.fi/studentambassadors/2016/06/10/integrating-into-finland-and-learning-finnish/ http://blogs.uta.fi/studentambassadors/2017/02/10/job-opportunities-for-international-students-in-tampere/ http://www.uta.fi/admissions/student-ambassadors/lauren • Participating in both photo and video shoots to be used for marking purposes on the university website and social media http://www.uta.fi/admissions/admissions/student-ambassadors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42b2PaOGwXU • Attending Twinkle, Finland's biggest business event focused on international competence and growth • Promoting UTA’s international degree programmes at a meeting for exchange students • Advising prospective students and applicants, particularly during our ‘clinics’ on social media • Using the UTA Student Ambassador mobile phone to market UTA through social media • Attending a workshop about UTA's website landing page and social media marketing communication to potential applicants • Meeting UTA’s rector and vice-rectors to discuss internationality • Being interviewed for and subsequently appearing in the university news and a local newspaper article http://www.tamperelainen.fi/artikkeli/373013-tampere-on-loistava-paikka-ulkomaalaisopiskelijat-markkinoivat-yliopistoa http://blogs.uta.fi/news/2015/11/30/finland-boasts-of-a-relaxed-study-culture/ In Finnish: http://www.uta.fi/ajankohtaista/yliopistouutiset/ilmoitus.html?id=111996 • Proofreading text for the UTA Admissions webpage • Promoting the ambassadorship at the semester Opening Day fair • Being interviewed for student experiences http://www.uta.fi/admissions/admissions/students-are-people-and-not-customers • Giving a presentation entitled 'How to cope with Finland' for several hundred new students during Orientation Week 2017
UK Youth Ambassador
The One CampaignONE Youth Ambassadors are a team of volunteers who promote ONE’s campaigns across Europe. We lobby decision makers, raise the profile of ONE’s campaigns in the media, and encourage the public to sign ONE’s petitions through online activity and local events. • Representing the University of Chester at a conference in London • Receiving training on engaging with parliamentary affairs and writing press releases • Attending an International Development hustings event at the University of Chester in order to ask prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to sign the 'Just Say Yes' pledge, which requests that the government continues to meet the 0.7% aid target and give half of aid to the world’s 48 Least Developed Countries by 2020 • Attending an International Development event in London hosted by the Labour Party, and asking the Labour Party's then leader Ed Miliband and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Mary Creagh to sign the 'Just Say Yes' pledge • Meeting then Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening • Attending the annual summit alongside the G7 summit in Munich, during which I participated in demonstrations and a United Against Poverty concert to raise awareness of the issues surrounding extreme poverty and to challenge the G7 leaders to take action • Attending a Q&A with Bill Gates about extreme poverty at Facebook London • Writing two successful press releases for the Reading Chronicle, one for the Chester Chronicle, an article for the University of Chester Student News: “Campaigning for change right at the top” http://chester.ac.uk/sites/files/chester/UoC Student News 1 2015-16.pdf, and an article for the Cestrian (University of Chester Alumni Magazine): “Campaigning for change, right at the top” https://alumni.chester.ac.uk/SiteAssets/Pages/News images/cestrian sept 2015 print_4e.pdf • Meeting with two Finnish Members of Parliament (MPs) to talk about ONE's 'Poverty is Sexist' campaign
Volunteer
Cruz Roja Espanola (The Spanish Red Cross)Whilst living in Melilla, a Spanish enclave surrounded by Morocco, I volunteered with CETI (Centro de Estancia Temporal de Inmigrantes, Centre for the Temporary Stay of Immigrants) through La Cruz Roja, the Spanish Red Cross. The city is notorious for its issues with immigration, as Melilla is seen as a gateway into Europe for many Sub-Saharan Africans. I helped at the reception of the medical centre, which involved directly dealing with immigrants, organising their medical information and translating between Spanish and English.
Sustainability Work Experience
Reading Borough CouncilContributing to and observing local government procedures by participating in the development of the 2013-20 Climate Change Strategy
Student Leader
The One Campaign• Representing the University of Chester at an activist weekend in London • Receiving training on engaging with parliamentary affairs and writing press releases
Street Pastor
Street PastorsVolunteering with a group of local church members who patrol the streets on Friday and Saturday nights to help the homeless and intoxicated people.
Fundraiser
Global Citizen• Eating on £1 a day from 7/5/12 - 11/5/12 • Raised £160 for UNICEF
President of the University of Chester Society
People & Planet - Uk Student Campaigning OrganisationPresident of the People & Planet society during my second year at the University of Chester • Organising committee meetings to discuss the agenda for each session • Assigning specific tasks to each member of the committee according to their abilities and interests • Preparing materials for and following up after each session • Liaising with the Student Union, relevant departments, members of staff and other societies through meetings, email and telephone • Attending relevant external meetings to expand our network and increase contacts • Lecture shout outs in relevant departments to raise awareness of the society and encourage potential new members • Presenting an introduction to the society, what we have done, what we are currently doing and what we aim to achieve, to 40 students at our taster session • Co-organising a greetings card signing for prisoners of conscience event with the local Amnesty International group • Organising Go Green Week, a week of events to raise awareness about climate issues. This involves meetings with the cafeterias to organise the promotion of sustainable vegetarian meals, a vegetarian meal photo competition, a pledge tree made from recycled materials, local conservation work, a film screening, and opening the society’s allotment to all students • Attending a 2-day training event for all People & Planet volunteers in Oxford • Attending a national 'Summer Gathering' event in Oxford and 'Shared Planet' event in Sheffield • Writing articles about our campaigns and having them published in student newsletters The Globe (University of Chester Geography and Development Studies Newsletter): "Alongside the Degree..." People & Planet: “Chester: kick Shell out, it’s time to go Fossil Free” http://blog.peopleandplanet.org/blog/2013/05/16/chester-kick-shell-out-its-time-to-go-fossil-free/
Writer, Proofreader, and Content Creator for various media
Varioushttps://www.dropbox.com/s/t8fxyo70hgstj3k/Writing.docx?dl=0
Steward at the 2011 'Spirit of Christmas' concert held at Chester cathedral
The Neuromuscular Centre• Helping at 'Spirit of Christmas' in 2011, a concert held at Chester cathedral to raise money for the Neuromuscular Centre • My role was a Steward, which involved directing people to the correct seats and collecting money
Fundraiser
Chester Aid To The Homeless• Participating in 2 sponsored sleep outs in 2011 and 2012, which each involved sleeping on the streets for one night to raise money for Chester Aid to the Homeless • I raised £269 in total
Data Entry Clerk
Record, The Biodiversity Information System For Biological Information In The Cheshire Region• Volunteering with RECORD at Chester Zoo • Typing data of animal species sightings into databases
Undergraduate Representative
The Learning And Teaching Insitute Research Ethics Committee• The Learning and Teaching Insitute Research Ethics Committee is responsible for granting ethical approval for a number of research projects undertaken in the university that propose to examine some aspect of the undergraduate or post-graduate learning experience • Representing views from an undergraduate student on the committee • Taking the minutes of the meetings
Communications Officer of the University of Chester society
People & Planet - Uk Student Campaigning Organisation• Maintaining communication between committee members and updating social media • Attending a national 'Shared Planet' event in Oxford
Youth Advisory Group Member
Amnesty International Uk• Representing the Henley College at the 2010 AGM and in the 2010-2011 Youth Advisory Group • Visiting the Amnesty International UK Headquarters in London and advising the organisation on involving young people in campaigns
Fundraiser
Cancer Research Uk• Ran the 2010 2011 5-kilometre Race for Life in High Wycombe • Ran the 2011 5-kilometre Race for Life in Reading and raised £140
Survey Distributer
Henley Police Station• Distributing surveys around Henley residences that Henley Police Station wanted to be delivered. • There were around 200 envelopes that the police had instructed us to deliver to certain number houses on 6 different roads and we all split up and organised ourselves so that we would have separate sections to deliver the envelopes to • Including travelling to and from the police station (also returning leftover spare envelopes) this took 3 hours
Student Ambassador
The Henley College• Representing the Henley College to prospective students • Answering questions and providing directions during open days
Steward at the 2009 'Spirit of Christmas' concert held at the Christ Church Centre in Henley
Muscular Dystrophy Uk• Helping at the 2009 'Spirit of Christmas' concert at the Christ Church Centre in Henley, for which the proceeds were given to the Muscular Dystrophy UK • Assisting those entering and leaving if needed, serving food, and cleaning
Young Leader
Girlguiding• Assisting in the organisation of activities at weekly meetings, weekends away, and camps • Member of the Guides 2004-2008 • Member of the Brownies 2000-2004
My dreams
I aspire towards a career in an international regulatory institution such as the EU or UN, or a non-governmental organisation (NGO) specialising in humanitarian work.