Leadership Network member examines the transformative power of overseas experiences

Husna: "I’m interested in how people change through what they do, day to day, when they’re placed in a different context."

For her doctoral study, Husna is examining education programmes that take Kiwis offshore - internships, work placements, and study abroad programmess - to understand how everyday activities, such as buying food, making friends, or simply figuring out local transport, can reshape identity, values, and civic engagement.

“I’m interested in how people change through what they do, day to day, when they’re placed in a different context,” she explains.

“I'm really passionate about the sort of personal growth and transformation that students will do while they're abroad.”

Husna’s field is occupational therapy, though she’s quick to point out that most people have only a narrow view of it.

Typically associated with rehab and injury recovery, she reframes the discipline as one that examines how people engage with life’s daily routines and practices - and why it matters.

While occupational therapy generally sits within the health science space, Husna is approaching it from an educational perspective.

Her core question is how everyday “occupations”, when experienced in a new cultural setting, contribute to developing global citizenship.

Husna doesn’t approach her research as an outsider. “It’s a little bit hard to say that I’m a naïve researcher,” she says.

Husna’s own journey is a key part of her approach.

“Like my future (study) participants, I have some experience in terms of navigating a new environment that has some familiarity and some unfamiliarity as well,” she says.

Born to Malaysian and Singaporean parents, Husna moved to Palmerston North at the age of six.

More recently, she interned at the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health in Malaysia.

Husna in 2007, shortly after she arrived in New Zealand

She reflects on observing a vegetarian colleague’s challenge with the spice-laden local cuisine, learning: “This is someone else’s normal, and you know, I need to try to somewhat adapt to this, or else…it’s going to be really hard for me to be able to work in this community”.

Her hunch is that students who take part in overseas education programs - especially in Southeast Asia - may return transformed in ways that aren’t always obvious on the surface.

That change might come through challenge - whether that be unfamiliar food, language barriers or cultural dissonance - or through quieter, more reflective moments, like finding a garden that unexpectedly feels like home, she says.

“For example, for me, seeing a red hibiscus in University of Auckland’s garden in the middle of Auckland’s current cold, blistery weather unexpectedly reminds me of home. The red hibiscus is special to me because it is Malaysia’s national flower.

“It might be personal, meaningful experiences that shape them or moments of connection with the host community, where something resonates on a values level.”

Husna recognises that cultural identity travels with those leaving home too - concepts like whanaungatanga and manaakitanga can shape how young Kiwis engage and interpret their experiences abroad.

At the heart of her research is a desire to deepen the connections between New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

“I know that there’s lots of work being done in terms of business and trade, which is really awesome, but I can see that there’s also more emerging knowledge around the social and cultural connections as well,” Husna says.

By focusing on the lived experiences of students abroad - the small moments that challenge and change them - she hopes to contribute to a narrative that acknowledges the importance of people-to-people connections, which can often be overlooked in official bilateral conversations.

Husna also hopes her findings will inspire the next generation of young New Zealanders to see travel and study abroad as opportunities for both personal growth and a broader, more connected worldview.

Have you been to Malaysia through an Asia New Zealand Foundation programme and would like to take part in this research? Or would like to find out more about this project? If so, Husna would love to hear from you! Please get in touch with her through email ([email protected]) or phone number (0204547838).

The Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network equips the next generation of Kiwi leaders to thrive in Asia. We provide members with the connections, knowledge and confidence to lead New Zealand’s future relationship with the region.