Vietnam - Testimonials
Samantha Johnson
Physiotherapy Graduate
What an amazing country full of such beautiful, generous people!
This was my first experience of Asia, and it did not disappoint. The orphanage was clean and well looked after by the staff there, and the students/children were friendly and open. It was difficult to come to terms with the life situations of so many of the children when compared to Australia. They are disadvantaged in many ways. But it was not near as confronting as we were expecting. They are very friendly and open.
Tanya McGrath
Occupational Therapy Graduate
The Vietnam project was an excellent opportunity to challenge myself. We were able to explore a difference country and work in a new environment, we had to work within a different culture and find ways to overcome the language barrier. During the placement we worked in a small interdisciplinary group which built on our team work abilities and increased our understanding of the other discipline's roles. The children were amazing, once we got a handle on the group work they started to participate and enjoy themselves. We were also able to develop projects, for example seating systems and seatbelts for the wheelchairs. Whilst on the placement you were supported by the supervisors however you had more freedom and independence to complete the group activities. The placement increased my knowledge about difference disabilities and how you can provide interventions using the resources that are available.
Lauren Robinson
Occupational Therapy Graduate
The Vietnam Project is an incredible experience that I would recommend to any fourth year student. Therapy in the orphanage is focused on group work with a multidisciplinary team of speech therapists, physio therapists and occupational therapists. In groups we developed goals for our selected children and created group sessions with activities that achieved these goals. The Vietnam Project allowed me to conduct self directed learning. It forced me to be independent with my therapy sessions and session reviews due to the limited supervision time. As a result I become confident in my clinical and professional reasoning and justification for why I chose certain activities to achieve the children's goals. This placement allowed hands on therapy with the children. The multidisciplinary team increased my knowledge of the skills other disciplines can offer. It also developed skills for working within teams and delegating group roles and jobs. Working in a developing country creates limitations when sourcing equipment and materials which allows for creative interventions. A particular intervention involved altering wheelchairs to facilitate a functional sitting posture for the children. This involved creating foam inserts cut from a mattress, timber supports provided by a local carpenter store and covered in vinyl from a motorbike shop.
This placement allowed me to experience occupational therapy in a different culture, helping me develop creativity, independence, professional reasoning and re enforcing the fundamental principles of occupational therapy.
Jessica Maye, Bettina Barber and Kristyn Luty
Speech Pathology Graduates
Our placement at Thi Nghe orphanage was one of the greatest learning experiences we have ever had. It has allowed us opportunities that would be rare to experience in Australia.
This placement offered a great educational experience while giving us chances to grow as people. It taught us patience with our co-workers and with the children, while dealing with cultural barriers, organisational restrictions and the placement structure.
Thi Nghe Orphanage is a challenging place – of over 300 orphan children with disabilities, around 60 per cent have cerebral palsy, with a substantial number also having autism or other developmental disabilities.
To help provide resources in the orphanage, the 12 students from different health courses - speech pathology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy – raised money for the orphanage and their placement. Note Vietnam is a cheaper country for a placement in Vietnam, at about Au$ 9 a night, compared to Australia.
This experience taught us that despite all the theory in the world, sometimes a sound theory just isn’t enough and you have to go with your gut feeling. It challenged us in ways which we never thought possible and at times forced us to make decisions that were not necessarily supported by best practice but were deemed culturally acceptable.
While the placement showed us the importance of remaining professional by not allowing emotional attachment to clients to get in the way of providing quality service, it also brought out a side of empathy and respect for all the diligent work the staff do.
The placement allowed us to develop our communication skills in working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Coming from a rural university, it was great to get this experience.
Working closely with our peers from physiotherapy and occupational therapy gave us insight into the different terminology, theories, practices and values each profession has to offer. We worked at managing our teams which prepares us for work in multi-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary teams when we finish our courses. It also allowed us to develop skills in providing a service for a facility that is so under-resourced compared to Australia.
We were also able to contribute to the benefit of the children and staff of Thi Nghe. We worked very closely with orphanage staff to ensure we provided a holistic approach that focused on the needs of both the children and carers.
We raised funds for the orphanage to purchase:
- mattresses for beds where the children had been sleeping on the metal frames;
- birds nest beanbags to allow the best practice for feeding the children as well as more seating;
- modified wheel chairs;
- ‘A’ frames for _____; and,
- daily necessities such as shavers, nappies and food.
Of course you can’t work for seven days a week, so we did take time out to travel and go sight-seeing around Vietnam. Time was limited, however most activities were cheap which meant everyone could take part. Each weekend we ventured off to a new part of the country to sight-see, mix with locals, and be tourists. We visited Da Lat, Hoi An, Nha Trang and the Mekong Delta. Activities included abseiling down 25m waterfalls, shooting a machine gun, cooking traditional meals, a home stay in a bungalow, partying at the beach and getting clothes tailor made.
We felt privileged to take part in this activity. I only wish I had taken more time before or after the placement to make the most of the fantastic country. Some things really do change your perspective on life.
The beaches of Nha Trang, the High Country around Dalat and the romantic city of Hoi Ann. Travelling on the weekends allowed us to appreciate a work-life balance whilst on our five week placement.