AusLEAP: Facilitating the volunteer placement of international students in established community, charity and social enterprise organisations to acculturate in new environment

Project Member(s): Pradhan, S., Yee, T.

Funding or Partner Organisation: NSW Department of Industry (StudyNSW Partner Projects)
NSW Department of Industry (StudyNSW Partner Projects)

Start year: 2022

Summary: AusLEAP is a program that connects NSW International Students with local established community organisations to undertake volunteering opportunities. This project will focus in the following aspects: ● Provide volunteering training to International Students by running workshops and inviting speakers so that International Students can nurture an interest in volunteering, build strong connections with locals, volunteers, learn local culture, and discover new personal and professional opportunities. ● Connect International Students to existing volunteering programs to culturally immerse in the new environment and ● Be ready for skill-based volunteering opportunities (work integrated learning) ● learn about workplace culture in Australia and nurture their network by supporting social and environmental advocacies

Publications:

Pradhan, S, Yee, T, Da Jose, T & Amatya, E 2024, 'Evaluation of volunteering program for international students in Australia: The AusLEAP program', Transform - The Journal of Engaged Scholarship, vol. 8, pp. 59-75.

FOR Codes: Information systems for sustainable development and the public good, Unpaid work and volunteering

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.