On 19 August, Study Melbourne welcomed more than 60 representatives from Victoria’s international education sector to a Student Experience Community of Practice session at the Study Melbourne Hub. The event explored culturally responsive, strengths-based approaches to student wellbeing.

The session featured Asami Koike, founder of Melbourne-based social enterprise Shapes and Sounds, who shared findings from the new Student Changemakers: Peer Leadership Program 2026 report. Funded through Embrace Multicultural Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Pilot, the project engaged 23 international students from 12 countries to explore wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention through a culturally responsive, strengths-based approach.

Together with a student panel, Asami highlighted the cultural, social and practical factors that influence student wellbeing and shared recommendations for creating more inclusive support across the international education sector.

To learn more, download the Student Changemakers: Peer Leadership Program 2026 report or listen to the Asian Mental Health Podcast, developed by Shapes and Sounds, on your preferred podcast platform.

To receive invitations to future Community of Practice events, contact info@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au.