Forging a new life with USQ
The University of Southern Queensland gives opportunity of a new life to sisters
SYRIAN refugees Sawson and Joelle Snounou have big dreams.
“I want to be a writer,” one sister said.
“And I want to work in media,” the other said.
Like 11,500 other Syrians who’ve settled in Australia since 2012, the Snounou sisters fled their war-torn country in hope for a better future.
“We’ve been in Toowoomba for six months and we love it,” Sawson said. “We are just so grateful.” From the ruins of Aleppo to Queensland’s Garden City, the duo are still adjusting to life in Toowoomba.
But their dreams of becoming the first in their family to attend university are already coming true.
Both are studying English at the University of Southern Queensland’s Open Access College, with plans of going on to further studies.
“It’s crazy thinking back to what our lives were like a year ago,” Joelle said.
“Now, we feel safe every day, attend class five days a week and can almost speak fluent English thanks to our teachers at the Open Access College.”
Open Access College is one of USQ’s proudest achievements.
College director David Bull said since it was established in 2009, OAC had gone from strength to strength, growing every year.
“Many of our students are refugees and migrants, who need English language skill building before they are able to undertake further studies with the university,” Mr Bull said.
Open Access College targets students from social and cultural groups under-represented in higher education, and helps develop international and domestic institutional partnerships in education.
At its core, OAC’s purpose is to give opportunities regardless of where people come from.
The Snounou sisters are just one shining example.
“USQ is very much a university for the whole community; regardless of the background, regardless of prior education, and regardless of personal experiences,” Mr Bull said.
USQ proudly supports, values and respects the wide variety of cultural identities, languages, and beliefs within the university.
USQ offers English language, culture and training programs for overseas students throughout the year.
Through the university’s homestay program, local families open their homes to those wanting to experience family life during their stay.
USQ is proud of its diversity.
The university’s current staff was born in 66 different countries and 17 per cent of their student population is international students, coming from 94 different countries.
More than 100 different languages are spoken by USQ’s active Australian and international students.
“Even though we were born in Syria, our home is here where we are happy and free,” the Snounou sisters said.
Now that’s something to be proud of.
❝attend Now, we feel safe every day, class five days a week and can almost speak fluent English thanks to our teachers at the Open Access College. — Joelle Snounou, USQ student