Hello from Columbus! I have made it back to “the states” safe, sounds, and completely fulfilled. My month abroad in Australia was everything I could have asked for and more. Not only did I gain extensive knowledge in the fields of children’s welfare and child mental health, but I also experienced beauty that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. It is impossible to see everything there is to see in Australia in just four weeks, but believe me I would have if I could. Hopefully, I have the opportunity to return to the land down under in the future to continue to explore all that the country has to offer.

From a classroom perspective, the Child Welfare and Children’s Mental Health program deeply submerged me into the Social Work field, and I found myself able to connect the information presented at the agency visits to my interests in pediatric medicine. Over the three week program, we visited 10 different agencies. Each agency presented us with their policies, beliefs, procedures, underlying theories, etc.

Our first, and perhaps my favorite, agency visit was our time spent learning about the aboriginal culture at VACCA. We learned all about connecting with individuals through culture. I realized during this training that culture is something unique to each person I will come in contact with. It is especially important that when I am working with patients in the future I first try to understand that patient’s cultural background. Without this understanding, I will not have the ability to treat a patient. Understanding one’s culture is essential to preforming treatment on an individual basis and knowing everything you can about a particular case before taking any actions that may go against or disrespect one’s cultural beliefs.

Our morning visit to Innovative Resources, a partner of Anglicare also provided me with knowledge that I can use in a variety of disciplines. Innovative Resources is an organization that uses creative resources to get in touch with children’s emotions and help with communication of these emotions to adult professionals. One resource I found particularly interesting was a set of playing cards called “The Bears” in which bears are pictured on the cards experiencing a variety of emotions, open for interpretation by the viewer. The goal of this resource is to have children choose the cards that describe how they are feeling in that moment. I immediately thought about how useful this resource could be to help children with physical pain to describe the intensity of their pain to a medical professional. I hope in the future I am able to access similar resources to get an accurate evaluation of a young patient experiencing any kind of discomfort.

I truly believe that my time in the Australia Child Welfare and Children’s Mental Health program will help me in the future to provide a multidisciplinary approach as a physician’s assistant. The medical field and the mental health field overlap too often to approach one without simultaneously thinking about the other. This could mean having a patient fill out a mental health assessment before medical appointments to avoid mental health triggers. It could be accomplished by making sure patients have the resources they need to have good mental health after their appointment. For example, at beyondblue, I realized how important it was that expectant mothers and fathers are provided with access to information about preventing perinatal mental health disorders. These disorders, such as postpartum depression are very serious, and it is necessary to address the potential for them before they become a problem. A simple conversation during a prenatal checkup could protect an expectant mother from months of postnatal depression and anxiety.

Now onto the fun stuff…

Here’s just a few things that I learned about traveling to Australia –

1. When crossing the road in Melbourne, look EVERY direction, not just left and right. You NEVER know when a car, tram, train, bus, or even biker is coming (I definitely had some near death experiences with oncoming trams and trains…)
2. Australia is very conscious about water use, and “the states” could definitely benefit from the half flush/full flush toilets you see everywhere.
3. Kangaroos do NOT like selfies.
4. Cherish free ketchup. You’ll have to scrounge up a dollar coin if you want a little “tomato sauce” with your chips (French fries) in Australia.
5. When someone says “How are you going?” don’t say “by tram” like I did once. The Aussies really mean “How are you doing?”.
6. Coffee in Australia is to die for. The flat white became a daily necessity while abroad. There is nothing like it here in the U.S.

As soon as I arrived back in America people started asking if I enjoyed my time in Australia. I still have not been able to give a single person an answer that explains just how important this trip has been for me and how much I have grown through this experience. In life “post-Australia” I hope to constantly remind myself that every day has the potential to be the best day ever. The world has so much to offer that I never knew was out there. I encourage everyone to travel/study abroad because once you step out of your comfort zone into unknown territory it is so much easier to open your eyes and realize how much around you has changed. It makes you realize what things you love about your everyday life and what things you wish you could do just a little better. I hope that I continue to embrace everything I have learned while abroad and always remember to create my own energy and happiness at the start of each and every day.

True Blue, I thank you!

Where did the time go?! Our last week in Melbourne seemed to fly by. Our Child Welfare and Children’s Mental Health program finished with a visit to beyondblue, an agency that provides support services for people experiencing depression and anxiety. Since 1 in 7 people in Australia has a mental health disorder, beyondblue makes it their goal to go to the heart of these disorders to make a real difference. The Perinatal Mental Health initiative particularly stood out to me because it deals with new and expecting families, a group of people I hope to work with in my future career as a medical professional. The perinatal period, conception to one year postnatal, is a very popular time for mothers and fathers to experience some sort of depression or anxiety. The beyond babyblues program focuses its efforts on prevention and early intervention of these mental health conditions. The agency works with the community, government, and service providers to make sure their resources reach the right groups of people at the right time. Since there is little awareness that dads experience prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety, beyondblue has created resources for fathers to use to get the information they need. These resources address how a baby will influence not only a dad’s day to day life, but also his mental health and well-being. The Perinatal Mental Health initiative also aims at reducing the stigma surrounding pre- and postnatal depression and anxiety. For example, their website provides real stories from people who have had an experience with these perinatal mental health conditions. These resources offer comfort and motivation to people with similar mental health experiences. People are also able to upload their own stories to the beyondblue website. This initiative encourages parents to stand up against perinatal mental health conditions to help reduce the stigma and spread awareness.

Although this week was all about agency visits, we continued to explore all that Melbourne has to offer! On Monday, we traveled to the 88^th floor of the Eureka Tower to view the city from all different angles. The wind tower nearly blew me away, but the view of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Olympic Parks and Cricket Grounds from way above was well worth it! Later in the week, we had a group dinner at Cider House to mark the end of our study abroad program and say a final farewell. After dinner, we all experienced Nitrogen (N₂) Extreme Gelato for the firs time and it did not disappoint! I enjoyed the most scrumptious “Filthy Smore” cone that included chocolate gelato with chocolate chips, marshmallow, graham cracker, and a syringe full of chocolate syrup! This journey has taught me that everyday brings new opportunities. It is amazing the bonds you can form among a group of people in such a short period of time. Traveling has a unique way of connecting people. This has been a life-changing opportunity and I have this program, breathtaking country, and an outstanding group of people to thank for that! The memories that I have formed throughout this experience are everlasting. We are off to Sydney tomorrow! We are so excited to embark on even more adventures and make the most of what little time we have left in the Land Down Under!

Let us start by saying, “WOW!” What an experience this trip to Australia has been so far, and it has only been a week! A snippet about us… We are both 3^rd year students with plans of working with children in the future. Jaine, as an occupational therapist and me (Erin) as a physician’s assistant. We both come from backgrounds outside of social work, specifically biology and psychology, but are excited to learn about issues that children deal with here in Australia…and to enjoy the beautiful country while we’re at it!

(Erin)

Getting Started –

At the start of this trip, I tried to keep my expectations low so that I would not be disappointed, but clearly I didn’t know that Australia does not disappoint. Now that I am over the jet lag, each day in the land down-under has been better than the last, and I am having the time of my life. I have taken a selfie with a kangaroo and my life is now complete (see picture).

The first few days here in Australia were all about getting oriented. As I rode the tram around the city on the first day, I gazed out the window and took in the city around me. One of the first things I noticed was that Melbourne’s dress code is much fancier than that of a typical day walking around Ohio State.  You see very few people in sweatshirts and joggers here, which I actually have come to enjoy. The next thing I noticed was the people. Not only are Australians some of the nicest people I have ever met, but they are also extremely laid back and never seem to be in a rush. When you’re waiting for your check at a restaurant this can get a bit annoying, but besides that it is uniquely refreshing.

The next few days consisted of lots of sightseeing, quite a bit of walking, and a little bit of rain. I should point out that the weather in Melbourne is actually very similar to that of Ohio. You never know when it will start raining, so I’d suggest you carry a raincoat or an umbrella with you if you see even a cloud in the sky. Before our first agency visit on Wednesday, we saw everything from the Melbourne Museum to the Queen Victoria Market. I have to say that one of my favorite places we visited was Hosier Lane, also known as Graffiti Lane. Unique urban art fills every square inch of the alley’s walls, even the trash cans believe it or not…It is definitely a sight to see.

VACCA –

When Wednesday came along, we were off to our first agency visit to VACCA. Here we learned all about the culture of the Aboriginal people during our Cultural Awareness Training. Something that stuck with me from this visit was that “culture is a means to heal”. During the visit, we were lucky enough to pass around a possum cloak that has been used by VACCA to give children a way to feel a closer bond to their Aboriginal culture. It was said that being Aboriginal is not the color of one’s skin or how broad one’s nose is, but rather the unique, beautiful culture that surrounds these people. I learned that day that not until one accepts someone else’s culture for what it is and shows interest in understanding it, can he/she truly connect with that person.  Our Cultural Awareness Training also included a lesson on the Stolen Generation and the effects of colonisation on the Aboriginal people. I would have never thought that it was within the last few decades that Aboriginal people were considered people and not merely vegetation. This fact is sickening, and made me appreciate the fact that American history has had freedom and equality for all human beings for more than a few decades. No country is perfect though, and we definitely have our flaws. One being that the American government has never had a “Sorry Day” like the Australian government. This day was an attempt to apologize for the treatment of the Aboriginal people during the time of the Stolen Generation, and although the government could not change the past, they could acknowledge that they were sorry it had happened…quite respectable if you ask me.

(Jaine)

Anglicare –

On Thursday we headed to our second agency, Anglicare. Just like our experience at VACCA, the social workers of the agency were so kind and welcoming. Throughout our time here we engaged in a series of activities to evoke conversation and learn new things about each of our peers in a comfortable space. Our first activity, “Deep Speak” included different color cards that enable social workers to pre-select conversation starters (i.e relationships, values, etc.). This activity also included a phrase called “Porcupie” that allowed people to put back outrageous cards and ease their way into their level of comfort. I personally loved the Porcupie” feature. Even though I hadn’t chosen anything outrageous, it would have been pretty cool to see if my peers believed whatever silly characteristics I made up about myself! Our next activity was called “Sparkling Moments.” This activity was actually my favorite because it allowed for the use of visual images to reflect on positive moments. It was so refreshing to hear about everyone’s special moments and to watch how excited everyone was to share their fondest memories to the group.  In addition, we used images to project metaphorical feelings. Photos of bears, other animals, and cartoons were placed on each of our tables and we used them to describe our feelings about 2016 thus far. We did this activity with words as well. The activities were creative ways to promote enjoyable, interactive learning between clients and speakers and we all had such a good time participating!

After a few hours we headed to another building for Anglicare and discussed Child Welfare and it’s differences between Australia and America. Australians refer to home base carers as “foster carers” as oppose to in America we usually call them “foster parents”. Similar to the US, Australians support family therapy and unity in order for children to have a successful transition to their foster carers. Family reservation orders allow for a family to be given 12 months to make a change. It was so interesting to hear that adoption becomes difficult starting at the age of two in Australia. I hear that finding a permanent home for children after around seven years old is hard in America, but two is so young!

Phillip Island-

Whoever said Friday the 13th was unlucky has clearly never experienced Australian wildlife. Our trip to Phillip Island was hands down one of the top five most memorable days of my life! The wildlife of Southern Australian is absolutely amazing! At Maru and Koala Animal Park there were wallabies, dingos, emus, donkeys, koalas, and my personal favorite, kangaroos! We pet, fed, and literally chilled with the kangaroos. It still feels so surreal! They are such chill beings. Well, until you attempt to take a selfie with them. Most times they turn the other cheek at their reflection, in the most adorable way possible of course. Later that day we went to the Penguin Parade. I had no idea penguins even existed in Australia! In fact, not only do they exist, I was shocked to discover that they are both sea creatures and land creatures. Yes I know… unbelievable. We watched as they stumbled upon to beach from the ocean to migrate back to their homes and mate. They were the cutest, most itty bitty penguins I have ever layed eyes on. I was so in awe that I had to purchase an out-backers mint plush penguin from the store on the way out.

This week really went to show how vast this world really is and how much culture and history this country entails. There is so much to take in on this journey and I cannot wait to embark on even more adventures!

-Erin and Jaine