Global Horizons - The Australian International Education Podcast

Where did the year go? As we plunge headlong into August, it means that the best event for international educators is just around the corner. AIEC is in Canberra this year, and joining me on the pod is Louise Goold, chair of the conference Program Committee. Together we go through some of the key changes and enhancements to this year's conference: all the things you really need to know! Of course,...

A surprise bulletin from the RBA, a sobering reality check at the IEAA’s TNE Forum, and new data showing a dramatic shift toward intra-Asian student mobility — July’s international education news cycle was anything but quiet. In this wide-ranging episode of Global Horizons , Dirk Mulder and Rob Malicki tackle the biggest stories shaping the future of the sector — from transnational education (TNE)...

You know those people who make the impossible look effortless? That’s Josephine Williams. In this episode, Rob sits down with the former AIEC Conference Manager and international education legend to unpack the stories behind the scenes—and behind the passport stamps. From coordinating a last-minute plenary for 300 delegates to climbing into a taxi bound for Damascus (yes, that Damascus), Josephine...

In this week’s episode of The Koala News on Global Horizons podcast, Dirk Mulder (The Koala News) and Rob Malicki (The Global Society) we’re digging into the latest InternationalEducation News.  -  A new Purpose Built Student Accommodation provider is entering Australia. - Another ELICOS/VET provider has closed as a result of the Government’s ongoing catastrophicpolicies. - Big news in the Learnin...

Monty Singh’s first night in Australia was in a Canberra backpackers, bunking with a complete stranger from Pakistan. He thought the city was under curfew when Belconnen Mall shut down at 6pm. And when he finally made it to uni? He thought “IT” meant “income tax.” It’s safe to say things didn’t go to plan. And yet somehow, they went exactly right. In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of Glob...

Between record-high visa fees, deep policy uncertainty, and dramatic drops in English language student numbers, the sector is feeling the pressure. In this episode of Global Horizons , Rob Malicki and Dirk Mulder catch up from opposite sides of the world — Paris and Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne — to unpack the latest news, including: The Lowy Institute’s polling on Australian attitudes to inter...

What happens when you cross an ambitious Dutch engineer, a life-changing stint in Japan, and a goal to outnumber soldiers with students? You get Edwin van Rest. In this wide-ranging and unexpectedly hilarious conversation, I sit down with the founder and CEO of Studyportals to unpack a journey that started with a dream to study abroad and turned into a mission to make global education transparent,...

This week on Global Horizons , things get heavy - and fast. We open with shocking charges of human trafficking tied to fake scholarship schemes luring vulnerable students to Australia. Rob and Dirk unpack this disturbing case, reflect on sector accountability, and discuss why blunt regulatory tools aren’t the answer. But that’s not all. Big moves are afoot in the offshoring game: UWA gets the gree...

Bosco Anthony wasn’t supposed to be on stage that day. He was the 16th speaker in a lineup of 15 for a TEDx talk in Vancouver. But when one person pulled out, Bosco got the call-up — and what happened next changed his life forever. In this energised and deeply personal conversation, Bosco unpacks the winding path that led him from Tanzania to Vancouver to Australia, powered by purpose, storytellin...

In this week's Koala News episode, Dirk and Rob are joined by Phil Honeywood, the CEO of the International Education Association of Australia. There's plenty on the agenda: from a wrap up of NAFSA to the seismic changes going on in the US, ministerial appointments here in Australia through to the latest changes Board at Universities Australia. Have a great end to the week! We are incredibl...

What do family singalongs in a Kombi van, drinks with KISS, and chasing cats through Indian airports have in common? They’re all part of Emily O’Callaghan’s remarkable story through international education. In this episode, Emily takes us on a rollicking journey from her early days couriering faxes at VU to launching two businesses focused on global sustainability and learning abroad transformatio...

The dust has settled on the Federal election, and it was a surprisingly one-sided affair. But what does that mean for Australian international education? With luck, a return to sensible, measured policy-making and extensive consultation. In this week's episode of The Koala News (on Global Horizons), Dirk Mulder (The Koala News) and Rob Malicki (The Global Society) unpack the results of the ele...

When Sarah Todd was a teenager in New Zealand, she asked Rotary to send her anywhere —as long as it wasn’t an English-speaking country. What followed was a life-changing year in Japan that would plant the seeds for a global career in international education. In this candid, thoughtful, and funny conversation, Sarah reflects on that transformative year, her unexpected journey from academic to inter...

Election fever is here — and with it, a volley of policies that feel more like political grenades than visionary reforms. In this episode of Global Horizons, Rob Malicki and Dirk Mulder dive into the policy madness unfurling as Australia heads to the polls: skyrocketing visa fees, party promises that don't stack up, and a worrying lack of coherent strategy from either side of politics. What do...

What do you get when you mix a surf-loving Gold Coast local with a global outlook, a passion for education, and a “just say yes” attitude? You get Jennine Tax—a true international education powerhouse with a story that spans Japanese homestays, finding purpose in community connections, and an epic caravan lap of Australia. In this episode, Rob Malicki sits down with Jennine for a delightfully cand...

I've literally never done this before.  A few evenings ago I was sitting in my kitchen. I had my chopping board out and a huge pile of vegetables, and I'm there cutting them up for dinner. As I do so, I'm listening to a fantastic podcast: the guest is George Williams, the Vice Chancellor of Western Sydney University. And as I'm listening along, I'm just thinking "This is s...

What do a near-kidnapping in Pakistan, a goat's milk ice cream in far-western China, and an intense fear of escalators have in common? They all feature in this wonderfully unpredictable episode with international education legend Alek Voninski. In this fast-paced conversation, Alek takes us from his high school days in Beijing to a career that’s spanned public universities, Edified, and most r...

What was that noise we just heard? Sounds like the gun firing on an election campaign. In today's episode of The Koala News on Global Horizons, we're jumping in and looking at what an election campaign means for Australian international ed. We're also catching up on some of the recent stories, including the heart-breaking news of the passing of one of the giants of our industry, Saskia...

Born in the Netherlands but raised across four continents, Ingeborg Loon’s story is one of rich cultural layers, wild adventures, and unexpected turns. In this episode of Global Horizons , Rob sits down with Ingeborg—whose name has echoed through international education circles for decades—to uncover the story behind the story. From wandering elephants in unfenced Zambian safari camps, to cycling...

What happens when a Scotswoman with a love for adventure, international education, and the Tour de France ends up in Australia? In this episode, Rob Malicki sits down with Linda Vaughn — whose current role is heading up school sector international education for the Victorian Department of Education — to explore a career that has spanned continents, cultures, and the ever-changing global learning l...

About 7 years ago, I accidentally became a YouTuber. A silly little video I made about a university got thousands of views, and, long story short, I started making YouTube videos about universities that have done pretty well since. But somewhere along the journey, when I decided to get more serious about it, I did some research on other “Edfluencer” content creators in Australia. There was almost...

International education is in the spotlight—but for all the wrong reasons. From Australia’s caps on international students to the U.S. freezing study abroad funding, government policies are creating chaos in a sector that fuels economies and careers worldwide. In this episode, Rob Malicki and Dirk Mulder dive into the latest developments, including CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman’s plea for polic...

Merging two major universities is no small feat, but when it’s done right, it can redefine a city, a state, and an entire sector. In this episode of Global Horizons , host Rob Malicki sits down with Jessica Gallagher , Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Adelaide, and David Lloyd , Vice Chancellor of UniSA, to unpack one of the biggest transformations in Australian higher education—the cre...

Australia’s international education sector is at a turning point. With tightening student visa regulations, an uncertain economic landscape, and increasing competition from global destinations, the industry faces both challenges and opportunities. In this episode of Global Horizons , co-hosts Rob Malicki and Dirk Mulder break down the latest policy shifts, the impact of Reserve Bank decisions, and...

In this episode of Global Horizons , host Rob Malicki sits down with one of Australia’s most influential higher education leaders, Jane den Hollander , the former Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University. From cutting the heads off flatworms in her research days to spearheading Deakin’s digital revolution, Jane shares a candid, inspiring, and often humorous look at leadership, resilience, and taking b...