Nov. 15, 2016

Until tomorrow, the whole world is my home

Globetrotting leadership grad student brings passion to both studies and work with international students

Werklund School of Education graduate student Philipp Reichert understands first-hand what it means to leave the comfort and security of one’s home to pursue a degree in a foreign country.  His experiences studying at institutions in Canada, Germany, the United States and the Netherlands have provided him with a unique perspective that helps him in his role as Coordinator for Immigration Advising Services at the University of British Columbia.

Born in Wasserburg am Inn, Bayern to a Canadian father and German mother, Reichert was raised in a household that did not put down roots for very long.

“Growing up I moved a lot which is likely where my interest for international education started and I feel like the educational process is well served by learning at different institutions to gain perspective,” says Reichert.

After receiving a Master’s degree in International Relations at Leiden University, an internship at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies helped him discover his interest in education and subsequently to a position at the Rotterdam School of Management in the International and Executive MBA programmes.  In 2012, he then moved to UBC’s Okanagan campus as an International Student Advisor.

Reichert applies the knowledge he gained during his globetrotting to assist students who have come to Canada from around the world to study.  Monitoring and adapting to governmental policy changes as well as responding to international crises which affect the students keeps him on his toes. 

“My interest in the impact of immigration policy on international education in Canada is multifaceted as I witness on a daily basis the important role that it plays for many of our students during their time in Canada. In addition to our students, immigration policy also has an important impact on the internationalization goals of educational institutions in Canada.”

Goals that Reichert has given considerable thought to during his studies in the Werklund School’s Leadership program.  While some believe the aim of internationalization is to merely shore up declining domestic enrollment, Reichert strongly believes in a partnership through which all parties profit.

“International students can contribute a lot to the academic and learning experience of all students, and if facilitated effectively, interactions in the classroom can be truly beneficial for Canadian students to bring a global perspective into the classroom.”

Perspective is one of the many qualities Reichert brings to the Leadership program classroom says Eugene Kowch, instructor in the Higher Education Innovation course.

“These are a new breed of leaders with new roles helping university systems to connect with, invite and sustain learners from beyond university ‘boundaries’, opening up opportunities for both learners and universities. These are the leaders of complex adaptive universities – readying the university of the future,” says Kowch. “Philipp is the ideal student for a leadership program because he adds this forward-thinking dimension in a cohort of emerging leaders facing similar and quite different challenges in universities around the world.”

But Kowch is not alone in recognizing his pupil as an emerging leader.  Recently Reichert was recognized with a North Star Award for Emerging Leader in International Education from the Canadian Bureau for International Education.

Reichert says the Leadership program has allowed him to continue to develop the depth and breadth of his knowledge, knowledge that he is already applying to his work with international students.  

“Currently, my department is launching a pilot year program for the Intercultural Career Development Program and this has been directly impacted by the research that I have done as part of my doctoral program in leadership.”

When it comes to thoughts of the future, Reichert says he intends to continue working and develop in the area of international education with an interest in policy and strategy development in Canada, as well as internationally.

“Whatever direction I end up taking in my career in the future I am confident that the knowledge I have gained through this program will support my future endeavors.”