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First Oxfam interns share volunteer experience1 April 2009
Seven Monash students, including two from Monash South Africa, have completed a five-week internship in South Africa where they worked directly on human rights and HIV/AIDS campaigns with Oxfam Australia. Monash signed a formal agreement with Oxfam Australia last year to create new collaboration opportunities including voluntary opportunities for students. Honours student Laura Dortmans was placed at the Hillcrest Aids Centre in Durban, along with fellow Arts student, Kylie Groves. Laura said it was great to be able to put what she had learnt in the classroom into practice. "To be on the ground and to see change every day was so inspirational," Laura said. "I've realised that you don't really have to be involved in policy development at the top level to effect change - you can do so much at a grass roots, community level." Jessica Malin and Neda Monshat from the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law were placed at Lawyers for Human Rights, interviewing clients in relation to permit extensions and refugee status determination. Jessica, who also studies community development, said it was great to be able to see human rights law in practice. "To hear people's stories and see the hope they have to improve their lives had such an incredible impact on me and encouraged me to follow human rights law as a career path," Jessica said. Arts students Christie McHugh and Edward Haefele and Business Systems student Joshua Vihishima were based at Oxfam Australia's offices in Durban. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker said the program, a first for an Australian university, was a fantastic opportunity for Monash students and the aid organisations involved. "It is so exciting to see that in four to five weeks students who may have known little about a country or its health challenges have returned with a cross-cultural understanding they may never have dreamed of," Professor Shoemaker said. Professor Shoemaker said Monash would now evaluate the program's success in conjunction with Oxfam to determine what will happen in the future. "It is likely we will have another short term internship in South Africa and also look at a semester-long program at Monash South Africa that may even be for academic credit," Professor Shoemaker said. "This is part of our plan to make for a richer learning experience for our students - all part of the Monash Passport." Related links |
