Samantha Shepherd is experiencing a scholarship of a lifetime in Bhutan.
The University of Wollongong Bachelor of Education student is undertaking full-time internships in pre-schools and primary schools to increase her understanding of educational approaches in Bhutan.
She is also learning the language Dzongkha and two other dialects.
‘It is vital to have an open mind and to say yes to all the opportunities that present themselves,' Samantha said.
Learning about Bhutanese culture and language are just some of the many ways Samantha is forging friendships and immersing herself in the whole scholarship experience.
That same enthusiasm has been central to her teaching placement where she is studying the implementation of play-based learning in the context of primary school education.
She believes the Bhutanese approach to play-based learning will benefit her teaching pedagogy when she returns to Australia.
'In Australia, there is not enough broad understanding of the value of play-based learning or how it can be incorporated at all levels of education,’ she said.
'I had the opportunity to work at the Rinping ECCD centre at the Royal University of Bhutan, the country’s premier early childhood education setting,’ she said.
'That has taught me integrate the essential learning that happens for children in their homes, community and pre-school into the primary school learning experience.'
In her new placement in the remote area of Zhemgang, she has been immersed in a traditional landscape which she said is offering a range of learning opportunities.
'My resilience and adaptability have developed exponentially as a result of living outside my comfort zone for 10 months,' she said.
Samantha said living in a country that measures Gross National Happiness requires a mind shift.
'There is a real emphasis on very human aspects of life including psychological well-being and cultural resilience,' she said.
'Many lessons can be learned from Bhutan, such as the value of culture, family, and community connection over material wealth.
'Unlike other countries that measures tangible concepts such as population, gender, and annual income – Bhutan’s measure is based on interviews that investigate the well-being of its citizens and that measure informs policy.
'When I get back to Australia, I will be completing my honours research looking at the barriers to, and opportunities for implementing play-based learning approaches in primary school settings, so this new cultural perspective will be invaluable,' she said.
'Wherever my career takes me, ‘I believe I have grown personally and professionally, and that is something I hope to continue to do when I return to Australia.'
