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Jessica Malpage (left) and Karen Martin from Canada – the first... |
Shoalhaven Campus welcomes its first international exchange students
Two Canadian occupational therapy students arrived in Australia recently to begin their six-week fieldwork placement at the University of Wollongong’s Shoalhaven Campus.
Jessica Malpage and Karen Martin from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, will be supervised by Director of the Australasian Occupational Science Centre (AOSC), Dr Alison Wicks.
Their time will be divided between the Shoalhaven Campus and Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital.
“We have both always wanted to come to Australia and were excited when the opportunity presented itself through an international placement option at our home university,” said Jessica.
“We have enjoyed our travels so far and are looking forward to our upcoming learning experiences.”
The students will be participating in community occupation-based programs such as the Berry Men’s Shed (established in 2005 by Berry Uniting Church in response to a perceived need in the Shoalhaven for men who had recently retired to share in meaningful community projects that benefit themselves and the community) as well as interviewing Shoalhaven residents to create occupational profiles for publication.
They will be speaking to local clubs and groups about Canadian culture and their Australian experiences. In addition, Shoalhaven Hospital is providing the students with practical, hands-on occupational therapy experience.
Both girls said their exchange experience would contribute to their professional development.
“As Canada is a very multicultural nation, an international placement is an excellent way to develop cultural awareness which is very important for my future occupational therapy practice,” said Karen.
“While I am learning occupational therapy-specific skills, coming to a new country is also teaching me about many personal skills such as self-confidence, independence and problem-solving,” said Jessica.
Both girls said they have appreciated the warm Shoalhaven welcome they have received.