Before leaving for Australia I was so nervous (my family can attest to that!) It was my first time traveling solo at all, let alone across continents! However, after studying abroad, I can truly say it was an unforgettable experience. In more ways than one. I learned not only about facts and figures that set the U.S. and Australia apart, but I gained incredible insight into how individuals feel about the policies, practices, and services being implemented. I also met some incredible people along the way, and was exposed to several ideas and opinions that both challenged and sparked different ways of thinking.
One layer to this entire experience that moved me greatly was hearing about Aboriginal experiences first hand (through VACCA- the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency) and also seeing how welcoming and accepting the other agencies are to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals. I did have limited prior knowledge of Aboriginal people and the varieties of cultures they encapsulate (you can’t really speak for everyone as there is so much diversity!) But hearing about the Stolen Generation, where thousands of Aboriginal children were taken and put with other families or in state care, and how recent it was, very much gave context to what we were learning. Trauma can move through generations, and though Australia has recognized the need to apologize, one still has to recognize all the trials faced even today. Though one resounding theme was resilience. Through hardship, there is still a thriving community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals that are proud to be so, and that is so incredible to see and experience.
In addition, we visited an organization, VICSEG, which lends support and services to newly arrived immigrants. Melbourne is a wonderfully diverse city, as is Australia as a whole (over 25% of permanent residents are born outside of Australia). Australia also offers English language lessons to newly arrived immigrants (and childcare for their kids during) free of charge. VICSEG has unique groups that, in some cases, allow mothers and children to learn English together. They also have soccer groups for kids and teens, playgroups, and tons of support services and training.
In the visits to the other agencies, I was reminded time and again that culture really flows through several aspects of life. Agencies were ready and willing to not only learn from people of different backgrounds, but take their suggestions and make their voices be heard. And that’s incredibly important working in the mental health field. One may think they know what’s best for a person, but through hearing about their unique experiences and really having empathy for different struggles, a middle ground may be found. Cultural competency and sensitivity to other cultures is a necessity.
Beyond the need for cultural sensitivity, I’ve learned so much that will help me in my future endeavors. I’m a psychology major, and I actually learned psychology and social work go very well together! Having never taken a class in social work, I didn’t know quite what to expect, but there were definitely some similarities in the different concepts we talked about. Among my favorites are strengths-based approaches, and the family therapy components, which we learned quite a lot about. I will definitely take into account different strategies utilized by some of the agencies. And it just solidified my love of family therapy. If one doesn’t understand a client’s environment, there may be a crucial element missing from treatment.
This experience also gave me insight into other professions (beyond social work) and how they all work together on an individual’s case. I was very fortunate to be able to go to a renal team meeting at Royal Children’s Hospital. Doctors, nurses, a dialysis nurse, a psychologist, an Aboriginal services liason, social workers, and others have a team meeting every week where they discuss every patient (recent admits, current patients, and future admits) to the renal ward of the hospital. It was so cool to hear everyone throwing out ideas and really respecting each unique perspective on a patient’s case. The holistic approach is very much reinforced in Australia, which I love.
Studying in Australia was an incredible experience. From the diverse, thriving city of Melbourne, to the small towns we saw along the Great Ocean Road. Meditating in the rainforest, to setting up a playgroup for young kids at Berry Street, to visiting amazing historical sites. This trip was filled with so many experiences I will cherish and utilize going forward. Until next time, Australia!
