Case Study: School of Social Work and Human

Services

WHY?Enhancing the Student Experience• Students were looking for

international field placement learning environments

• Limited viable overseas placements

• Wanted to value add to the

program

• Increased employability opportunities

• Diverse cultural experience• Internationalisation of the

curriculum

HOW WE STARTED• Selling the idea to the School

• Establishing Contacts

• Sourcing contacts and colleagues with relevant experience

• Connecting with academic and field placement learning curriculum

HURDLES• Meeting accreditation

standards – quality assurance

• Assessing risk

• Responsibility to students

• Responsibility to placement agencies

• Reputation - School and University

PREPARATION • Creation of policies relating to overseas

placements – panel to assess applications • Selection criteria for students – who is eligible?

• Orientation to the culture

• Preparation including practical details

• Logistics• Health and Safety

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF STUDENTS?

• Expression of interest• Information session about

application process

• Interview short-listed applicants

• UQ and School representatives

• Must be able to contribute to the placement agency (research projects)

• Open to flexible learning

WHERE WE SEND OUR STUDENTS? India – founding placement 2009• Community Aid Alliance - network of NGO’s in

Southern India

• Strong professional and personal relationship with Mr. Augustine Ullatil

Nepal – 2011 Thailand – 2012Cambodia -2012Sri Lanka -2012

• Funding applications2012 DEEWR -2013 DIISTRE short term mobility programAUD$ 21,500 2014 Asia-Bound Grants - AUD$ 21,500• VC International Partner Awards

2012 – Mr Augustine Ullatil - AUD$3000

• Student Satisfaction • Graduate Outcomes • Student Recruitment –Unique

Selling Point

SUCCESSES

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY?

“I felt that these placements solidified the knowledge I gained in the classroom and allowed me to develop my skills as an emerging social worker with the support and guidance of professionals in the field. Specifically, the opportunity to work in India was the most rewarding and challenging experience of my journey with UQ” Poppy Browne 2012

Add Julia Clifford and Michelle Dang

HEADING 2

How we started

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