Education without borders: Claudia’s vision for inclusive education starts at UQ

Claudia Elena Múnera has always been passionate about making education more inclusive. She believes that every student, no matter their background, should have the chance to learn. That belief brought her from Colombia to sunny Brisbane, where she is now studying a Master of Educational Studies at UQ.

From journalism to the classroom

Before coming to Australia, Claudia worked in journalism and communications. Later, she began teaching communication skills at a virtual university in Colombia. Many of her students lived in remote areas and faced challenges like poor internet access or no electricity. This experience showed her how important it is to create lessons that work for all students, especially those from underprivileged communities.

Finding a welcoming campus

Claudia’s journey to UQ began with a visit to the St Lucia campus. She was excited to see how open and welcoming it felt. Wanting to grow her knowledge in education, Claudia applied for the COLFUTURO scholarship. Receiving this prestigious scholarship, she chose to study at UQ, drawn to its strong academic reputation and its focus on fair access to education and Indigenous perspectives.

Putting learning into practice

Since starting her degree, Claudia has already applied what she is learning to the classroom. She teaches alongside her studies, using her skills to support neurodiverse students, non-native English speakers, and learners from Indigenous and rural communities.

Life in Brisbane

Life in Brisbane has also helped Claudia quickly feel at home. She lives with an Australian host family, which has helped her improve her English and experience the local culture. She has joined the UQ Cheer and Dance Club, UQ Education Society and the Respect Network. Claudia also connects with the Latin American student community and enjoys meeting people from all over the world. This mix of cultures is one of her favourite things about studying in Australia.

A future focused on equality

For Claudia, education is a way to create social change. She hopes to combine her background in communication with her education studies to stand up for inclusion and equal access. Her goal is to return to Colombia and use what she has learnt at UQ to support students in Indigenous and remote areas. She wants to help create resources and programs that give every student a chance to succeed.

With her strong values and her experiences at UQ, Claudia is building a future where learning is truly open to everyone.