Participants to Australia 2007
From 30 August through to 20 September 2007 CIF Australia hosted our inaugural three-week program in Adelaide for six human service professionals from countries as diverse as Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece, India and Scotland. The success of the 2007 program was the result of strong support and cooperation by a wide range of government and non-government agencies, Schools of Social Work and many volunteers.
ADELAIDE - AUSTRALIA 30.8.2007 - 20.9.2007
by Tiina Iivanainen, Finland
I joined a CIF program in Adelaide, SA in 2007. I work with intellectually disabled persons in Finland. There were six participants all together in Australia. I, Tiina from Finland, Paula from Scotland, Ulla from Germany, Danae from Greece, Gül from Austria and Punam from India. It was the first official CIF program in Australia. There was also a chance to join New Zealand program right after. There were three of us who continued to New Zealand.
[L-R: Gül Sanli (Austria), Danae Christophorides (Greece), Tiina Iivanainen (Finland), Paula Mulford (Scotland), Ulla Ihlang (Germany), Punam Sachdev (India)]
We were all very welcomed from the first day we arrived. Adelaide is well organized and good size city. Bus system was clear and we got proper information. And we all found bus drivers and people of Adelaide friendly and helpful.
[Rundle Mall, Adelaide]
At first we all stayed in Belair for couple days. There was wonderful view over Adelaide and nature with koalas and birds. Then we moved to our host families. My host, Margaret, is wonderful. We got along very well and I learned more about Australia and Australian ways through her.
[Belair National Park]
First week was general orientation to Australian (South Australian) social system. It was very informative and we visited many different places: from Centre for homeless people to SA House of Parliament. I found information of aboriginal people very good as I realized that it was something I didn´t know much about. It was shocking to find out about stolen generation. Visit to Nunkuwarrin Yunti really opened our eyes. Nunkuwarrin Yunti provides health and community support services to the Aboriginal community in Adelaide area. And did you spot the news this February (2008) when Australia said sorry to aboriginal people. On the last week of the program we made individual visits to places of our own areas.
[Parliament House, Adelaide]
I was really pleased I went to Australia for CIF program. It was something I didn’t know that much about. But I think most important for me was to meet other people doing the same work as you do or in other fields of social welfare. It is so good to change ideas and compare notes. Also it was nice to meet people who work with strong passion. Part of the reason for me to join a program in Australia was that I needed a break from work. Whole experience put things into perspective and I got my passion back too.
[Port Elliot]
Australia is a big country and I strongly recommend you allow yourself a bit of extra time to travel and look around afterwards. I did that and was only sorry that I still ran out of time.
I would like to say thank you to everyone in CIF Australia for all arrangements and effort to make our experience memorable!