Yani Global Exchange
Connecting Indigenous students with global opportunities for cultural exchange, learning, and leadership.
About the Program
Yani Global Exchange is La Trobe University’s dedicated international mobility program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Grounded in the Woi Wurrung word yani, meaning to journey, this program offers transformative opportunities for students to engage in global learning experiences with First Nations partner institutions around the world.
Yani is more than just an exchange - it’s a culturally immersive journey that supports student wellbeing and inclusion. Through reciprocal partnerships with Indigenous communities and universities around the world, Yani empowers students to connect with other First Nations peoples, share knowledge, and build meaningful, lasting relationships across cultures and continents as part of a global learning journey.
The program is designed to be culturally safe and responsive, offering wraparound support that includes academic guidance, cultural mentoring, and community connection. Whether students are travelling abroad or welcoming international peers to La Trobe, Yani ensures that every step of the journey is grounded in respect, care, and Indigenous ways of being, doing, and knowing.
Yani plays a key role in La Trobe’s commitment to decolonising education and expanding access to global opportunities for Indigenous students. With a growing network of international partners, Yani is building a dynamic platform for Indigenous collaboration, learning, and leadership on a global scale.
We invite you to explore, connect, and journey with us.
Program highlights
Yani is designed to be flexible and responsive to individual needs, recognising that each student’s journey is unique.
We’ve built strong relationships to support students at every step, including:
- Consistent support from start to finish: From the moment a student expresses interest to the time they return home, tailored support is available at every stage.
- Application and course selection: Personalised guidance to align study plans with academic goals.
- Accessibility and inclusion: Ensuring existing supports are maintained or adapted across institutions.
- Wellbeing and cultural connection: Linking students with wellbeing staff, academic mentors, Learning Abroad teams, and First Nations Student Support Centres at their host university.
- Support to access funding: we understand that study abroad is expensive. We can help you access funding to make the dream a reality.
Yani is more than a program - it’s a network of care, designed to empower students to thrive, wherever their journey takes them.
Who is Yani for?
If you're an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student at La Trobe and you're curious about studying overseas, Yani is for you.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just reach out to us, and we’ll help you explore how Yani can fit into your course. Whether you're just starting to think about going abroad or already have a destination in mind, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Are you a First Nations student from one of our partner universities overseas?
We’d love to welcome you to La Trobe! Through Yani, you’ll have the chance to study in Australia, connect with our thriving Indigenous communities, and experience life on campus in a culturally safe and supportive environment.
If you're interested in joining us, reach out to your university’s First Nations or learning abroad office, or contact us directly. We’re here to help make your journey to La Trobe as smooth and accessible as possible.
How do I apply for the Yani Global Exchange?
-
Express Your Interest
Start by getting in touch with us to let us know you're interested in the Yani Global Exchange. We’ll arrange a time to chat about the program and how it can fit into your study plans.
-
Begin Your Application
Once you’ve expressed interest, head over to the La Trobe Semester Abroad page and follow steps 1–6 to begin your application.
News and student stories
Explore our partnerships
See our list of global partners and find out how your institution can collaborate on Indigenous-led student exchange.
Have a question? We can help!
Need a hand? We’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact us for help at any stage.