2. Five keys to connection: Belonging for international students through singing with Vicki Bos

As universities face what Vicki Bos calls a "crisis of connection," with international students increasingly disconnected from campus life, group singing emerges as a powerful tool for building meaningful relationships and fostering genuine belonging. 

Episode Description

Vicki Bos shares insights from her work leading UQ Voices, a mental health research choir at the University of Queensland. Learn how her five key community-building strategies through choral singing create meaningful connections among international and domestic students, moving beyond surface-level interactions to foster belonging and connection.

Key Topics Discussed

• The crisis of connection in universities and its impact on student wellbeing, especially international students
• Five strategies for community building: rapport, interaction, personalization, ownership, and achievement
• The role of choir leaders in fostering mental health benefits
• Building inclusive spaces for international students
• The power of learning songs in multiple languages

Resources

• TEDx Talk
• Read Vicki's research in Australian Voice here.
• Raise Your Voice International Student Choir Festival

About Vicki Bos

Education professional development specialist and director of UQ Voices, the University of Queensland School of Psychology mental health research choir. With experience across Australia, Japan, Macau, Brazil, and Chile, Vicki specializes in using choral singing to teach language, build community, and improve mental health outcomes.

Connect with Vicki

• On Facebook

Connect with Melissa

• LinkedIn
• Join the conversation about positive music leadership and community music making
• Share your thoughts about this episode using #LeadingNotes

Episode Highlights

• How intentional leadership strategies create genuine belonging
• The transformative power of group singing for international students
• Building cross-cultural connections through music
• The role of meaningful experiences in student wellbeing
• Creating safe spaces for authentic expression

Leading Notes is a podcast exploring innovative approaches to music leadership and education. Find more episodes at https://leadingnotespodcast.podbean.com/

This project was made possible by The Winston Churchill Trust’s Impact Fund, supporting Churchill Fellows to achieve impact in Australia following their Fellowship travels. Read more about the Churchill Trust and other Fellowship stories at ChurchillFellowship.com.au