Human Services
International Practicum - Overview
International Opportunities
Lakeland International practicums are a relatively new part of human services.
Since 2010 our students have been in projects supporting children, at-risk youth and families in Australia, the Dominican Republic and Hawaii.
For the participants, these practicums are journeys of personal growth and self-discovery. They experience and are inspired by the life, energy and resiliency of the people they meet and work with.
For the participants, these practicums are journeys of personal growth and self-discovery. They experience and are inspired by the life, energy and resiliency of the people they meet and work with.
| Hawaii 2016 | ||||||
| Oahu was the destination again in 2016. | ||||||
| Hawaii 2014 Overview | ||||||
In 2014, Hawaii was the destination for the third international practicum.
The island chain in the heart of the Pacific provided a life changing experience in 2 ways. There were the more typical tourist activities to museums, art galleries, wildlife parks, ocean bays and even a shark cage dive. They were exposure Hawaiian culture through luau gatherings, Koa wood carving, hula story songs, and the islands vibrant flora and fauna.
But the he experience that sets the the international practicum apart is the students hands-on involvement with local organizations. Early learning and child care, and educational assistant students worked with 0-3 and 3-5 age groups at Kuhio Park Terrace public housing facility in Honolulu. The facility works with PACT (Parents And Children Together). Child and youth care students worked with the Kids Hurt Too organization. This agency provides support to children and families grieving loss or separation. Students were given insight into crisis management, group mentoring through circle/play time and community skills development in Hawaiian cultural arts and environmental activities. |
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| Student Hawaiian Experience 2014 | ||||||
From the practicum reports of 4 students who went to Hawaii in 2014.
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| Dominican Republic 2012 Overview | ||||||
In early 2012 the school of human services prepared for their second International practicum in the Dominican Republic.
On this trip students worked on projects with the Dominican Association of Down Syndrome, Ninos del Camino, an organization that serves at-risk youth, and public and nonprofit schools. They also experienced Dominican’s cultural and historic beauty with tours of Christopher Columbus’s home and the Lango Enriquillo nature reserve and its 27 waterfalls. The Dominican Republic provided a life changing experience for the Lakeland College students. They came to help those facing poverty and hardship. But they were also inspired by the life, energy and amazing resiliency of the Dominican people. Quick highlights |
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| Student experiences in the Dominican | ||||||
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| Australia 2010 Overview | ||||||
Australia 2010Students and 2 staff members went to Australia in June 2010. Practicums were arranged through Lakeland's relationship with South West TAFE
Child and youth care, early learning and child care and educational assistant students took the trip down under for a life changing experience.
While the group blogged about their experience on Adventures in Auz. They were also media stars in one of the local papers. (See below)
Kissin' a 'roo - and more Aussie adventure highlights in images on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/lakelandcollege/albums/72157626870250698
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| Local newspaper article in Australia | ||||||
International guests learning lessons while kids have fun
By Tina Liptai Warrnambool Creative kids had tonnes of fun as they were joined by special international visitors to test out some of the activities before the Fun4Kids festival officially kicks off tomorrow. Students from Canada’s Lakeland College will be part of the team helping some of the littlest festival goers have a great time at the activity attic during Fun4Kids. The 16 Canadian students who are studying early learning, childcare, disability studies and youth care, will team up with South West TAFE students who have planned the activities and use the week as a practical placement as part of their studies. Chair of human services at Lakeland College, Pat Wasylik said the trip was the first of it’s kind and was sparked by a growing educational relationship between the college and the TAFE. She said the trip was aimed at giving students an international perspective on their intended profession. “We’ve always been interested in the festival and seeing what it’s all about,” she said. “It’s been fantastic. It’s a great opportunity to see how human services are taught and run in another country, some things are different while other things are the same.” Student Lyndsay Haaland said the biggest difference the Canadian students noticed was the climate. “We can’t have outside play all year,” she said. “It’s interesting to see how the different climate affects the activities children can do, but a lot of things are the same too.” This year in the activity attic the focus is on play and discovery with children encouraged to flex their creative muscles. From a bubbling volcano and squishy Play-Doh to a fairy garden and a quiet book corner, the play space is aimed at igniting imagination. tliptai@standard.fairfax.com.au The Warrnambool Standard, June 26, 2010 http://www.standard.net.au/ Photo by Leanne Pickett.Lyndsay Haaland, 22, from Lakeland College in Alberta, Canada, Daniel Klancic ,6, Kalee Laurenceson,19, from Lakeland College, and Darcy Smith,7, were all looking forward to the launch of this years Fun4Kids Festival. |
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