Gwen Smyth
Accommodation and Hospitality Services
Gwen is the Residential Life Manager based in the Elms Village. Along with her team, she looks after all aspects of student and staff accommodation, from managing services such as cleaning and grounds to supporting students during their stay.
Gwen manages the Residential Life Team which is made up of three Residential Life Co-ordinators (RLC) and 16 Residential Assistants. Their role is to support students living in university accommodation, from welcoming them on arrival and organising a large events calendar to pastoral care and assisting where there are any issues.
About Gwen
What is the best part about your job?
Working with the students, seeing how they change from arrival to departure – hair colour, fashion and just the experience of leaving home and becoming independent.
Tell us something about yourself which might surprise your colleagues?
I completed a cycle challenge to raise money for NI Mencap in Brazil, cycling for 8 days. I surprised myself completing it as there are a lot of mountains in Brazil. It was very rewarding.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
To see the world before settling down. I have worked and backpacked in Canada, America, Australia, Thailand, New Zealand and South Africa - the majority of the time by myself and meeting many new friends along the way. I have also visited many countries on holidays.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what one thing would you take with you?
Kenwood mixer! I love cooking
When you were growing up, what did you want to be?
I really had no idea as I was already starting to plan my first trip abroad, but my parents insisted that I go to college first, so I trained in Hotel Management. This was an excellent choice as it helped me get work when travelling the world.
Who are the Residential Life Assistants(RA)?
Residential Life Assistants are students who live among first year students in accommodation. There is a mixture of local and international RAs, many of whom have also studied abroad for a year or a semester.
Why are they important for the student experience?
RAs play a crucial role in helping new students settle into university life and ensure they get the most out of their student experience. They have first hand experience of living in university accommodation, so they have a greater understanding of what new students are dealing with – new cultures, home sickness or simply not meeting new friends. As they live among first years, RAs are often more approachable than members of staff and are often more aware of what is going on in the accommodation buildings.
What does the role entail?
RAs are out and about among students. They welcome students when they arrive and help them meet other students through welcome meetings, events in the Treehouse or out in Belfast. They also help first years to become familiar with their new surroundings – where to get a bus or where the local grocery store is. The RAs also support those suffering from home sickness, even showing them how to do the simple things that cause additional stress when moving away from home, for example how to use the washing machine and cook.
