31 January 2018
Qasem Bahmanzadah
Youth Ambassador, Australian Refugee Association
Bachelor of Aviation
Victoria Zawko
Bachelor of Sustainable Environments (Honours)
Aviation graduate and Youth Ambassador, Qasem Bahmanzadah, recently swapped the skies for the seas on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to challenge himself and develop his character. As did UniSA alumna, Victoria Zawko, who gained more confidence in her leadership abilities while learning the ropes aboard the STS Young Endeavour - made possible through a UniSA Cowan Young Endeavour Grant.
The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme provides 24 young Australians aged 16-23 the unique opportunity to sail the coast of Australia aboard the tall ship, STS Young Endeavour (with nine specially trained Royal Australian Navy crew) to increase their self-awareness, develop teamwork and leadership skills and create a strong sense of community responsibility.
Twenty-one year old Qasem was born in the war torn Afghanistan and had to flee to Pakistan at the age of six. Since arriving in Australia at the age of eleven, he has excelled in his studies, been a passionate volunteer and is heavily involved with community groups including the Australian Refugee Association where he is a Youth Ambassador.
“I am very grateful for the opportunities I’ve received from the Government and the Australian people. One day I hope to give something back to this beautiful country,” says Qasem.
While no stranger to youth development programs, Qasem said he got a lot out of his Young Endeavour experience.
“The biggest challenge for me was learning to step back and let others have a go.
“Despite all the challenges, like being sleep deprived, you do get a lot out of it. Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them makes life meaningful. It’s through these challenges that we can change for the better.
“I’d definitely recommend it to any young people who want to develop their characters.”
Each voyage, youth live and work with a diverse range of people from across Australia. They are encouraged to pursue personal and team goals and challenges in an unfamiliar environment as they learn to sail a square-rigged tall ship.
Skills learnt include; how to navigate, keep watch setting and furling sails.
UniSA Sustainable Environments graduate, Victoria Zawko, always had a keen interest in the ocean environment so receiving UniSA’s Cowan Young Endeavour Grant in 2017 was the perfect experience for her.
“When I heard about the Grant I was so excited because this was an opportunity for me to experience something new that I’d always been interested in up close and personal, while having fun and making friends and connections,” says Victoria.
“During the voyage I gained a lot more confidence in my leadership abilities. My skills were put to the test and I learnt a lot about myself and how I react in stressful and intense situations, and I like to think I came out better for it.
“Without the support provided through the Cowan Young Endeavour Grant I never would have had this experience. I cannot express how much I appreciate the opportunity I was given and the people who made it possible.
“The Grant gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons (both figuratively and literally) and learn how to work together with virtual strangers in a challenging environment.
“I think any student that is given the same opportunity I was given will learn a lot about themselves, their limits, and how to push past them.
“I’ve been applying many of the lessons I learnt while on the voyage to both my personal and university life, and hope to carry them with me well into my professional life.”
