The Australian Catholic University (ACU)'s ongoing relationship with organisations in Timor-Leste has delivered unique opportunities for Australian healthcare students.
Established in 2010, the multidisciplinary initiative between ACU's Faculty of Health Sciences and in-country organisations has expanded through the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program.
Deputy Head of the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences at ACU, Paul Taylor said the ongoing relationships have been forged with a number of organisations in Timor-Leste and the community.
'So many of our students choose to go on these study placements because they want to challenge themselves, to move out of their comfort zone, either by working with populations they are unfamiliar with or working in team scenarios that they have less experience in,' he said.
'Students develop new capacities at a rapid rate and at the same time they get to broaden their professional skills and learn new ways to approach the technical aspects of the health care they are trained to provide.'
And nothing could paint a more accurate picture for Jess Clarkson and Jake Griffin, fourth year physiotherapy students who completed a four-week placement in Timor-Leste.
Jess and Jake began their first placement in the Dili Hospital out-patient clinic supporting rehabilitation for people recovering from stroke and provided inpatient care for victims of car accidents and brain injury.
'We went into the placement to get practical experience which was different to anything else we had done.' Jake said.
They also undertook language training in Tetum.
'We had a crash-course in Tetum, the national language of Timor-Leste, but we were far from fluent, so that was a big challenge in a clinical setting,' Jess said.
'We were met with such good humour and graciousness when we got it wrong.'
After this, they went to Tibar, a village 17km from Dili and undertook their next placement at the community healthcare NGO, Klibur Domin.
The NGO runs a community-based rehabilitation program, which supports children and adults with disability and provides respite care and access to education, mental health services and a tuberculosis program.
'We spent time working with children with cerebral palsy and their families on contracture management,' Jess said.
Managing Director of Klibur Domin, Joaquim Soares, says the ongoing collaboration brings mutual benefits.
'The students bring valuable academic knowledge from Australia and are happy to have the opportunity to work with patients in remote communities,' Joaquim said.
'Conversely, the students also benefit from this program, gaining valuable experience by observing, conducting exercises and assessments, and by provide medical treatments and assistance alongside our staff in settings that are so different from back home'.
'I am hopeful that this program will continue and we will continue the partnership.'
ACU coordinator Paul said it was the university's sustained presence in the country that opens doors.
'The NCP has been significant in supporting students to make the journey, and for
Timor-Leste, knowing that students come every year ready to learn and teach consolidates a trusting relationship,' Paul said.
Jake says the trip has changed his career trajectory completely.
'As training health professionals, I think it is something all students should try to do,' he said.
'I would go back to Timor-Leste in a heartbeat.'
'It has made me think about how, even within Australia, we might pursue work where we are most needed, and we have been exploring opportunities in rural Australia where I think we can really use our skills in settings that require a diversity of practice.'
