CQU social work goes global
Two CQUniversity Social Work students have taken their learning beyond Australian shores, gaining valuable international experience and professional connections during a recent visit to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Fourth-year Bachelor of Social Work students Tyra Hosking and Zane O’Brien travelled to Hawaiʻi alongside CQU Social Work lecturer Jacqueline McNamara, participating in a range of guest presentations and learning activities with students and academics from the University’s Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health.
The visit provided an opportunity for the students to share their knowledge and perspectives on Australian social work education and practice, while gaining insights into the cultural, social and professional contexts shaping social work in Hawaiʻi.
Dr McNamara said both students made a strong impression on their international peers and academics, receiving commendations for the calibre of their knowledge, professionalism and contributions.
“It was wonderful to see Tyra and Zane confidently engage with their peers and academics in an international setting, sharing their knowledge and contributing meaningfully to discussions about social work practice,” Dr McNamara said.
“Experiences like this give our students the opportunity to broaden their perspectives, challenge their thinking and develop the confidence to engage with professional networks beyond Australia.
Zane said that after studying in a rural Far North Queensland town of 2,000 people, having the University of Hawai’i be part of his CQU social work journey felt “surreal”.
“The experiences and perspectives I gained will enrich my practice and forever shape the social worker I become,” Zane explained.
“I am deeply grateful to each of my lecturers, every one of them played a vital role in guiding me here. I can now say I have represented CQU and have been an active agent in global, emancipatory social work. Meeting and presenting to my peers in Hawai’i is the level of practice I always dreamed of reaching. This wasn't just an unforgettable, dream-like experience; it was a pivotal moment that crystallised my CQU studies into a phenomenal launching pad for my future practice."
Tyra agreed.
"I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to represent CQU Social Work at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa,” she said.
“It was an extraordinary experience and one that I will forever remember and be grateful for. Being able to share research that I am deeply passionate about and engage with social work students and academics from different cultural perspectives was both exciting and incredibly rewarding.”
Tyra said the knowledge, connections and perspectives she gained will undoubtedly continue to influence her social work practice and aspirations to contribute to further research.
“Through presenting internationally, I was able to engage in consciousness-raising to develop shared knowledge that challenges oppressive structures and advances social justice. I am especially grateful to the CQU lecturers and mentors who supported, encouraged and believed in me throughout this journey.
“Their guidance and dedication made an opportunity like this possible, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of it. If I had the chance to do it all again, I would say yes in a heartbeat. It has been one of the most memorable and meaningful experiences of my university journey and has opened my eyes to the opportunities that exist beyond my undergraduate studies."
Dr McNamara said the visit also marked another important step in the growing relationship between CQUniversity and the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, with discussions exploring international field education opportunities and ongoing teaching and research collaboration.
“A key focus was progressing the Global Buddies initiative, an international project designed to connect social work students in Australia and Hawaiʻi through shared learning, critical reflection and conversations around self-care, wellbeing and professional practice,” Dr McNamara said.
The delegation also connected with a number of community organisations, including Hawaiʻi's Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC), which expressed interest in ongoing connection and collaboration with CQUniversity social work.
Dr McNamara said building connections with international community organisations was an important part of creating meaningful opportunities for students to experience social work in different cultural and community settings.
“The opportunity to learn from practitioners and organisations working in different social and cultural contexts is incredibly valuable for developing globally-minded graduates,” she said.
“Our discussions have opened the door to some exciting possibilities for future student placements and collaboration.”
The visit was endorsed and supported by CQUniversity's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences and International Directorate, reflecting the University's commitment to creating international learning opportunities for students, including those studying in regional communities.
Dr McNamara said international partnerships helped ensure regional students could access experiences that broadened their horizons and connected them with professional opportunities on a global scale.
“Being based in regional Australia should never limit the opportunities our students have to engage with the world,” she said.
“Through partnerships like this, our students can share their knowledge internationally, learn from different approaches to practice and build professional relationships that can benefit them throughout their careers.”
The visit builds on CQUniversity's ongoing commitment to international collaboration and ensuring graduates are equipped with the cultural understanding, professional networks and global perspectives needed to make a difference in diverse communities.
Learn more about CQU’s Learning Abroad programs.
