James Norman and Georgina Heaslop

When asked to highlight their most memorable experience at UQ, the answer was easy for social work graduates James Norman and Georgina Heaslop.

“Our final-year field placement was definitely a standout experience during our studies.“We were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to spend three months in Nepal with the Nepal Australia Friendship Association (NAFA) working with disadvantaged children cared for in homes sponsored by NAFA,” said Georgina and James.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, James and Georgina were met by Honorary Senior Lecturer Dr Deborah Setterlund (School of Social Work and Human Services) and her husband Rod, president of NAFA, who assisted them throughout their placement.

As part of their placement they worked at a school in a small town outside Kathmandu as well as at a home for disadvantaged children where they delivered a series of workshops based around themes such as the development of support networks, problem solving and avoidance of exploitation. The workshops formed a small part of a larger NAFA project, aimed at providing students with the further education and training they need to move into wider society.

James and Georgina also worked in rural and remote locations of Nepal. They were involved in evaluating NAFA’s goat project which provides income to poor rural families and empowers the Women’s Group who manage it. They also helped out at a remote area eye camp, where two surgeons performed cataract operations under very basic conditions.

It took five days of trekking to visit some of NAFA’s projects, like the development of schools and health facilities in remote villages. In one of these villages they were told their trekking party was the first group of westerners ever to visit.

According to the students the international placement provided the opportunity to put much of their theory into practice.

“Our knowledge assisted us in all aspects of our work in Nepal. The Community Development theory helped us to understand the importance of valuing local knowledge, participation and building relationships, particularly in our work with the Women’s Group and the remote community.

“Our social work training helped us to better analyse and respond to the complex social factors, such as caste, gender and economic position, which contribute to structured inequality in Nepali society,” said James and Georgina.

Georgina also regards field placement as a great opportunity to develop your skills as a practitioner.

“The large amount of practical experience in the social work degree really helps to prepare you for the transition from university to work life,” she said.

Both Georgina and James hope that others can have similar opportunities in the future and thank everyone who helped make their placement such a valuable experience.

Field education placement is an exciting and challenging time when students test themselves in the human services practitioner role, develop skills in a range of fields and methods and engage in the application of academic learning in the practice environment.
 

About NAFA
Nepal Australia Friendship Association is a Brisbane based non-political, non profit organisation dedicated to assisting the poor and needy of Nepal. Their focus is to assist communities and individuals with projects that improve the quality of life and provide hope for the future.
 

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