UQSPIA CLASS OF 2019 ALUM
Elizabeth Sojnocki - Solomon Island-Kiribati/Canadian
Bachelor of Human Services & Arts, Majoring in Sociology and Criminology
"I moved to Australia to live at boarding school when I had just turned 15. Once I graduated high school I went straight from living in the boarding house to living on campus at college. This was a super exciting and hectic time because I suddenly went from being in a controlled and strict environment to having all this freedom and independence.
Although it was nice having this new found freedom, it was equally overwhelming. I felt like I needed to have my life planned out but in reality had no idea where I was going. I totally winged it when I was picking my degree, and to be honest, didn’t know where I wanted to go with it.
I found out about UQSPIA in my first year and remember going to my first meet and greet and being greeted with a huge hug by the then vice-president. The room was full of laughter and I hadn’t realised until then how much I had missed being a part of a community that connected me with home. SPIA has been there throughout my journey at Uni, always bringing good laughs, supporting me, and making me feel more connected with both my culture and other Pasifika cultures.
Now I’m graduated and am working full time as a youth and family support worker for an Indigenous Community Family Wellbeing Service - although because of SPIA I still find myself at Uni constantly (especially when dance practice is on or there’s food around). I hope to eventually go back home and bring all my knowledge and experiences with me to create some kind of positive change to support and strengthen my community."
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