Empowering Journeys: Alumni Inspire at MultiLearn Event

In November 2024, the Master in Learning and Communication in Multilingual and Multicultural Contexts (aka MultiLearn) organised a brilliant Meet Our Alumni event for their students and graduates. Successful NGO founders led an engaging alumni panel discussion about their journeys from MultiLearn students to entrepreneurs in the non-profit sector.

The event was organised by Associate Professor Gabriele Budach, who leads the Master’s programme. “The event was an opportunity for our alumni to share their experiences and for our current students and other alumni to learn about what their peers are doing, both professionally and socially,” Gabriele says. “It also highlighted how the Master’s programme has helped them on their journeys. Events like this provide a safe space to exchange ideas, ask questions, and hear from more experienced individuals, inspiring confidence to make similar, courageous choices.”

In October 2024, Gabriele was contacted by alumna Alizée Motte, who proudly informed her that she had realised her dream of founding her own NGO. Based in Metz, MultiPerspectives helps people discuss and overcome language barriers, fostering understanding of diversity and environmental issues. "Alizée asked me to share information about their opening event with our Master’s students and offered to collaborate on joint events," Gabriele continues. "I immediately thought of organising a panel discussion with alumni working in the associative sector.”

Associate Professor Gabriele Budach

"I contacted two other graduates, Vessela Vencheva at Openscreen in Luxembourg and Charline Kanza at Afroveronesi in Italy," Gabriele adds. "All three were enthusiastic about the idea, we found a date, and the plan was set.” Open Screen engages intercultural dialogue through film, books and multilingual theatre play. Afroveronesi is an association and safe space for Italians of African descent in Verona. They organize community events to share culture and raise awareness for what it means to be Afroveronese and black in Italy."

Around 30 students and alumni attended the event. Gohar Sharoyan, another graduate of the programme, moderated the discussion with expertise and compassion. The panellists shared their stories, their proudest moments, the challenges they faced, and how the Master’s programme had inspired and guided them. They spoke about the knowledge, self-confidence, and intercultural experiences they gained in the classroom, which they now wanted to recreate for others. “It was a beautiful event, full of insights, warmth, and empathy. It truly encouraged our current students to see what is possible with this Master's diploma and experience,” Gabriele shared.

Alizée Motte, President of MultiPerspectives

Alizée, who took part in the panel discussion, agrees: “This event provided current students with inspirational examples of what this Master’s can mean for one’s career and how it can be used as a technical foundation with valuable knowledge applicable to real-life cases. My NGO is deeply inspired by practices I learned during my Master’s: work on borders, identity, migration, multilingualism, and alternative approaches such as stop-motion animation or podcast making, always with a deep understanding and questioning of the issues.” - she adds.

Another panelist, Charline, adds: "Participating in the Meet Our Alumni event was an insightful, moving, and heartwarming experience."

"I had the opportunity to demonstrate how the research and theories I studied during my Master’s program have seamlessly merged with my work in associationism," she continues. "Engaging with students and fellow alumni was both enriching and empowering. I was able to share my journey, inspire current students with practical insights from my association’s initiatives, and provide them with valuable tools and recommendations for navigating the world of associationism."

 Charline Kanza, co-founder of Afroveronesi 

Vessela Vencheva who manages Open Screen

The third panelist, Vessela, adds: "I am always happy to come back to the University. The environment in our Master’s is the most welcoming I have ever experienced in Luxembourg. Such events offer a great opportunity for a community consisting of like-minded people to get together regularly and to exchange meaningful ideas and feedback. I do believe that people in our Master’s are agents of change! For all these reasons and thanks to the great memories and friendships that I created during my studies at the University of Luxembourg, this event was very personal and fulfilling for me!".

Gabriele believes that alumni relations are crucial for the University and its students. “Alumni are the best ambassadors to show current and potential students the possible futures for our graduates, the professional paths they can choose, and the social engagement they can pursue. Our alumni extend the quality of our programmes into the world of work and can discuss these links with insight and passion. This comes from people, not numbers, and their stories have a presence, immediacy, and vibe that can reach out, touch, and motivate in ways that are important and irreplaceable.”