Ms Danlu Zheng1, Ms Claire Craven1
1The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
In today’s dynamic educational landscape, empowering under 18 international students requires innovative and engaging strategies. Our program has embraced this challenge by fostering leadership development among our under-18 students and reimagining the traditional orientation practices.
Our first innovation involves pioneering a leadership program specifically tailored for under-18 students. This initiative not only fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among young learners but also creates a continuum within our program. Former under-18 students play a pivotal role as leaders, contributing valuable insights and experiences while assisting with the seamless planning and execution of orientation and other under 18 activities.
Furthermore, we have revolutionised our orientation sessions to go beyond the static PowerPoint presentations to embrace interactive and collaborative experiences. Through the integration of campus tours and gamified learning via platforms such as Kahoot, we’ve transformed orientation into a dynamic, immersive journey. These interactive activities not only inform, but also energize and engage under-18 international students, providing them with a first-hand understanding of campus life and facilitating meaningful connections with their peers.
Through these innovative initiatives, we are not only revolutionizing our support for under-18 international students, but we are also empowering them to develop the skills and confidence necessary to thrive in their academic journey and beyond.
Biography:
Danlu has worked in the international education sector for over a decade. Her journey is marked by diverse experiences, from mentoring programs to volunteer initiatives. Driven by a passion for empowering young people, Danlu has devoted her career to motivating students to realise their potential and create positive change in their communities.
Claire has over 15 years’ experience working in higher education, with a focus on first nations and international student support and mentorship. Claire is committed to enhancing the engagement and experiences of international students, as a foundation for growth and development in both their academic and personal journeys.