This post is by Abiud Bosire (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg).
During my graduate life, I have been fortunate to travel quite a bit over the past few years. However, my trip to Brisbane in November 2024 was one of a kind. Not only was it my first time in the Southern Hemisphere, but it was also a wholesome experience, and by the time I departed Brisbane I was enriched, content and connected. Flying southeast from Munich to Brisbane via Changi Airport in Singapore, I was buzzing with excitement and looking forward to my experience in and around Brisbane. Leaving behind the chilly autumn in Nürnberg for Brisbane’s warm and welcome spring was also refreshing, and the warm weather and friendly atmosphere were a perfect welcome despite the long trip.
Two things brought me to Brisbane: the GO-GN workshop hosted by the Global OER Graduate Network (GO-GN) and the OE Global Conference 2024, which was organised and facilitated by members from University of Southern Queensland, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the State Library of Queensland. Oh, and there was a third thing on my side agenda, to catch up with a friend at the end of the conference.
GO-GN Workshop
Just like in my last GO-GN workshop in Cork, Ireland earlier in the year, the first day of the workshop was dedicated to doctoral students and alumni presenting their works and receiving feedback from peers. What made this day unique and a bit nerve-wrecking for me was the 5-Minute Thesis Presentations, where we presented our works in 5 minutes and using a single static slide. I had prior knowledge, not experience of 3-minute Thesis competitions, but as someone who loves diving in details, this was a challenge. Prior to the workshop, I kept wondering, What do I focus on? What is and not important? However, it turned out to be an incredible learning experience, as it taught me to be concise and impactful in a short amount of time.
Another exciting moment was presenting updates on our ongoing project in Kenya, focused on empowering postgraduate students. I shared experiences from our 2024 workshops at Rongo University and Kisii University in July and August 2024 respectively, and the plans for a third workshop at Maasai Mara University in February 2025. This project is funded through a GO-GN scholarship. By the end of the first day, jet lag hit me hard, as a quick nap almost turned into missing the group dinner at OLÉ Restaurant. Thanks to Kylie’s message, I made it just in time.
The second day was equally engaging especially the session on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Listening to others works on EDI and global perspectives on EDI initiatives enriched my understanding of EDI and gave me ideas to implement in my own context. In addition, reflections on GO-GN and the next steps in 2025 were critical in envisioning GO-GN and left me with plenty to think about.
OE Global Conference 2024: Peaks and Pauses
The OE Global Conference was a beehive of activities. I always try to learn something new about a country I visit for the first time, and the Acknowledgement of Country, which recognises that you are meeting on the land of the First Nations peoples, was striking to me. My first contribution to the conference was on November 13th, when I co-facilitated a workshop with Dr. Vi Truong Leveraging Open Education for Global Education.
The interactive session was fantastic, and we received feedback that will shape our proposed project going forward. Again, as in the GO-GN workshop, this day took an unexpected turn, when fatigue and a persistent headache led to me missing a scheduled session on Mapping OER discourse in Kenya. A quick rest turned into an extended nap, and this was a reminder that self care is just as important as productivity.
The next two days though were packed with enlightening presentations. I enjoyed many presentations, though I would like to give a shout out to all GO-GN colleagues at the conference for their great presentations and incredible work in different fields and contexts around the world.
Beyond Academia: Exploring Brisbane
Of course, no trip is complete without some sightseeing. In between the conference and stay in Australia, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a friend and colleague Ana Radovic . Ana is working on global citizenship education based at Queensland University of Technology. Ana turned out to be ultimate tour guide. Ana’s warmth and hospitality were unforgettable.
From the city Brisbane city tours, to the panoramic views from Mount Coot-tha and experiencing Brisbane’s vibrant nightlife, every moment was an adventure. Ana’s insights into the local culture made my trip even more special. One particularly special evening was spent at Saint Nicholas, a Serbian Orthodox Church, listening to a youth group practice traditional Serbian music-an absolutely amazing experience.
Gratitude and Takeaways
Looking back a month later, the trip to Brisbane was more than just an academic experience. I learned, connected with old friends and discovered new things both professionally and personally.
From the enriching sessions at the GO-GN workshop and OE Global Conference to exploring Brisbane’s charm, every moment and experience left a lasting impact.
A huge thank you to GO-GN for their continued support, which has allowed me to engage with the open education community in ways I never imagined. And thank you, Brisbane for the memories, connections and the unforgettable experiences.
Abiud Bosire is a doctoral candidate at the Chair of Education with a focus on Diversity Education and International Educational Research of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. His research focuses on global education in secondary school in divergent contexts, particularly with a comparative perspective.
Photo credits: All photos by Abiud Bosire are used with permission except Dr. Farrow leading an interactive session, Dr. Vi introducing a workshop and the GO-GN penguin (GO-GN, CC BY 4.0).
