India - Grassroots Community Development
Faculty of Arts
School Of Humanities and Social Sciences - Proposed 2013 program
Topic Area: Social Work
I want to thank CSU Global for offering amazing advice and providing a safe program which helped to teach me things I never knew about myself and the world. I want to thank them for their financial assistance and for allowing me and so many others the opportunity to travel and explore. Most of all, I want to thank them for allowing me to help give a little bit back to the country I travelled to………for, although I was there only briefly, I feel like I really made a difference. So now that you’ve heard from me, why don’t you go see CSU Global and find out what travel opportunities await you!! Brett Petersen, program participant 2012
Students will spend 2 weeks visiting rural villages meeting and working with various Social Work organisations. In week one of the program, the group visits the nearby villages, rural areas and large cities (Pune and Mumbai) and meet with social workers in a range of community development and social justice programs. In week two, students are placed in local community agencies to gain field experience in areas such as child welfare, women's empowerment, health, disability and special needs education.
Program Dates: 10 - 25 November, 2013 (exact dates TBC)
Number of Places: 20 places
NB: This program will require 10 students to proceed.
Cost: $2800.00 approx* (exact costs TBC)
*The $500 Vice Chancellor Travel Grant (for eligible students) is not awarded directly to individuals but has already been included in program costings. For students who are not eligible for the funding your costs will increase by $500.
Costs should include: Program fee, international flights, airport pick-up, accommodation, sim card, vegetarian meals, visa (for students travelling on Australian passports) & insurance.
Costs do not include CSU subject fees, predeparture medical costs and immunisations, additional meals, local transport, sightseeing and excursions.
Eligibility: Bachelor of Social Work & some places available for Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) and Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare).
Academic Credit Arrangements: Please negotiate credit arrangements individually with your Course Coordinator/Director.
Application Timeline:
- Application closing date: 8 June, 2013
- Successful students notified (via email): 15 June, 2013
- Passport submission for visa processing: 6 August, 2013
(You MUST have obtained your passport prior to this date. Please note it may take 4-6 weeks to obtain a passport) - $1000 non-refundable deposit due: 28 June, 2013
- Final and full payment due: 6 August, 2013
- Pre departure session (two online modules): To be advised
Click here to download an application form [pdf]
Completed applications must be submitted by the due date to:
Heather BARTON
Lecturer
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Charles Sturt University
Building 26 room 242
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Phone: + 61 2 6933 2783
Email: hebarton@csu.edu.au
Indicative Program Outline
What:
Two CSU social work academics accompany the student group on this study tour and the group stays in the village of Malvali which is approximately 2-3 hours by road from Mumbai. In week one of the program, the group visits the nearby villages, rural areas and large cities (Pune and Mumbai) and meet with social workers in a range of community development and social justice programs. In week two, students are placed in local community agencies to gain field experience in areas such as child welfare, women's empowerment, health, disability and special needs education. Often workers in these agencies are very skilled at field work but may lack good English skills to help them articulate their work and prepare evaluation reports, funding submissions, client records and other documentation. The students get to see ground-level realities and learn about development programs. No prior experience or other training is required. Students are given a general orientation to their placement organisation with the India Study Abroad Centre (ISAC) and CSU staff available for consultation if required.
Student accommodation is in a guesthouse. Rooms are basic and clean. Only shared accommodation is available - 2-3 per room. Bedding consists of a firm sleeping mat on the floor, with shared bathroom facilities (shower, basin, Western style toilet).
Where:
Locations are between Mumbai and Pune which are two major metropolitan areas. The settings are idyllic with hills, valleys, historic sites, Buddhist caves, lakes, dams and popular trekking routes.
Who:
Based in Malvali with visits to locations between Mumbai and Pune which are two major metropolitan areas. The accommodation is set amidst idyllic hills, valleys, historic sites, ancient Buddhist caves, lakes, dams and popular trekking routes.
Further information about this program is available through ISAC