International Short Term Program - Nepal
Faculty of Science
School of Community Health
Topic Area: Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology
"Throughout my time at Autism Care Nepal, I learnt a great deal about myself as a professional, but also as a person. At the end of the fifth week, I was pleased with the progress and development I was able to achieve in Blue room and the strong relationships with the staff at the centre. It was definitely sad to leave such a positive centre with fabulous staff and children."
CSU participant 2013
Proposed 2014 program
This School of Community Health program for fourth year students has been running since 2013. Occupational therapy and speech pathology students will work in interdisciplinary teams with children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Students will be supervised by a CSU staff member, by Autism Care Nepal staff members, and by occupational therapy and speech pathology staff members from Aspect, NSW. Students will work at Autism Care Nepal for a five week period.
The goal of this program is to establish a mutually beneficial, long term relationship between Autism Care Nepal, the School of Community Health, and Aspect NSW that facilitates an improved quality of life for the clients.
AutismCare Nepal (ACN) was founded in 2008. It is the only active autism organisation in Nepal that is run by passionate parents who care for children with autism. They provide support and information services to persons with autism and people who work with these children in Nepal. They aim to create awareness of and act for the rights of children with autism throughout Nepal.
Students are advised that there is a compulsory two-day training program that they must attend in Sydney, run by Aspect NSW and CSU staff, prior to departing for Nepal. The dates for this pre-departure training program are to be advised.
More information about Autism Care Nepal can be found at their website.
This program is partially funded by the Australian Government’s Study Overseas Short-term Mobility Program through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. CSU recognises the support of the Australian Government in providing targeted funds which have subsidised the cost of this program to students.
Program Dates: June/July, 2013 - five weeks (exact dates to be confirmed)
Available program places: 6 Students
NB. This program will require 4 students to proceed
Cost: Approx $1000* (exact costs TBA)
*The $500 Vice Chancellor Travel Grant and DIICSRTE funding is not awarded directly to students but has already been included in program costings.
Costs Should include: Accommodation, some transport, language classes, interpreters, Aspect NSW pre-departure training.
Costs do not include: CSU subject fees, flights, insurance, visas, passports, vaccinations, meals, transport, sightseeing costs, daily living expenses, pre-departure training associated costs (including accommodation and travel).
Please note: This is an individually ticketed program (students to purchase their own flights, travel insurance, visas and passports).
Eligibility: Fourth year students (in 2014) enrolled in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Health Sciences (Speech Pathology) courses.
Credit: Eligible students will be given credit towards a workplace learning subject as participation in Nepal Program is in place of a workplace learning placement in Australia. Students must liaise directly with their Course Director for credit approval.
Application timeline:
- Application closing date: 14 October, 2013
- Successful students notified: within one week of the application closing date, 2013
- Non-refundable $500 deposit due: 1 November, 2013
- Full payment date: 1 April, 2014
(You must have a valid passport, or be in the process of applying for one by the final program payment date. Your passport must have a minimum of 6mth validity from the program's return date) - Pre departure sessions/modules: TBA
Click here to download an application form [pdf]
Completed applications must be submitted by the due date to:
Alice Wood
CSU Global
Charles Sturt University
Bathurst
Phone: + 61 2 6338 4068
Email: alwood@csu.edu.au
Further enquiries regarding the program should be directed to:
Michael Curtin
Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy
School of Community Health
Charles Sturt University
Tel: +61 2 6051 9209
Email: mcurtin@csu.edu.au
Click on the image below to read about past participants' experiences.
