A program that has been instrumental in providing international students with the skills they need to navigate life in Australia.
International students volunteering at Food Bank
Congratulations to Sojen Pradhan on being nominated for the NSW International Education Awards. Sojen founded the AusLEAP Volunteering Program which has attained recognition for its outstanding work in supporting international students to connect with the community.
Launched in February 2022, this outstanding program has been instrumental in providing international students with the skills they need to navigate life in Australia. For some students, the program has built their confidence to try new things which appeared discomfiting at first. For other students, the program has been instrumental in helping them to improve their communication skills and public speaking abilities.
Generally, these international students tackle social and environmental challenges, discover new career pathways, and learn about the community they live and study in. The program is expected to go digital soon, in support of the evolving needs of the program as students continue to navigate volunteering now and in the future.
AusLEAP aligns with the faculty’s strategy to build active partnerships to deliver a positive impact. International students contribute positively to the community as they apply their skills. We cannot underestimate the importance of this experience in helping to develop holistic students.
Sojen Pradhan,
Senior Lecturer, School of Professional Planning and Leadership
AusLEAP has been nominated for the Education Providers category, which recognises programs and initiatives from individuals, education institutions, businesses and community organizations that support international students to connect with the community.
Sojen is a senior lecturer at the School of Professional Practice and Leadership.