Xue (Yaoyingxue) Li, a UWA Bachelor of Commerce student, recently interned with youth mentoring not-for-profit 12 Buckets, helping the organisation build connections with the community and gaining a valuable boost to her confidence living in a new city.
After moving to Perth from China to begin her studies at UWA in Semester 2 2024, Xue applied for the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s internship program as part of her course this year.
“I was able to contribute to an organisation that is directly supporting children in need, where it was apparent that even small tasks made a difference in the organisation reaching towards its mission.”
Lia Thorpe is Relationships Manager with 12 Buckets and was Xue’s internship supervisor.
“Xue was an asset to our marketing team at 12 Buckets. In the for-purpose charity sector, every contribution truly counts, and Xue’s attentiveness and diligence made a real difference,” Ms Thorpe said.
“Her commitment to her tasks helped make my job easier and contributed to a positive team environment. It was a fantastic experience working together, and we are looking forward to catching up for a coffee together soon!”
For Xue, the supportive environment was also the perfect place to overcome anxieties she had about language barriers.
“At first, I was afraid that my English was poor, and that it would cause problems, but everyone at 12 Buckets was so kind and patient, it really helped me build confidence and self-esteem. My supervisor Lia is a wonderful person, and even recommended many great places to visit in Perth.
“Overall, the internship program and experience helped me open my mind to new ideas and perspectives, to try new things and hear different views. I’ve already recommended it to friends – it’s a great opportunity, especially for international students, to connect with the local community and to make a meaningful contribution while doing so.”