Course details
Join us in Semester 1, 2025, for a transformative 12-day intensive counselling program that offers you the chance to apply your counselling knowledge in a unique cross-cultural setting. This internship will allow you to:
- Gain valuable insights into cross-cultural counselling practice and cultural sensitivity.
- Take part in a two-day mandatory pre-departure training designed to build your skills and knowledge in Narrative Therapy, constructionist principles, and cultural humility.
- Complete 10 direct counselling hours alongside 50 agency-based hours.
- Engage in regular self-reflection to develop cultural humility.
- Participate in daily debrief sessions facilitated by two UniSC Counselling staff members.
- Apply strength-based and collaborative counselling approaches in an international environment.
- Deepen your practice through experiential learning, preparing you for placements back in Australia.
- Take part in a one-day reflective workshop in the heart of Varanasi’s Old City where you will be invited to use creativity and art as a reflective tool.
As part of the program, you will partner with Kutumb Family, an organisation dedicated to community development and the wellbeing of children and families in Varanasi. You’ll collaborate with Kutumb Family staff and children, facilitating therapeutic conversations that support in building connection and resilience within the local community.
You will also spend three days in Old Varanasi City, an ancient spiritual hub that includes the iconic burning Ghats— sacred sites deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural traditions such as open-aired cremations. The time spent in the heart of Varanasi will offer you opportunities to observe, reflect, and immerse yourself in the city's rich cultural and religious traditions. Navigating the city’s winding streets and witnessing traditional rituals will deepen your understanding of cultural humility. These experiences are designed to challenge preconceptions and enhance cultural competency within your counselling practice.
This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to broaden your counselling skills and worldview, setting the stage for an immersive start to your placement journey.
Program leaders
Associate Clinical Educator Ms Zoe White is an experienced clinical educator supervising and teaching at a tertiary level. Zoe has supervised numerous programs to Varanasi in recent years, and is excited to lead an inaugural UniSC counselling cohort in 2025.
Dr Trudi Flynn is a teaching and research academic within the Discipline of Counselling. Trudi has worked therapeutically in the fields of adolescent and adult substance dependence, eating disorders, palliative care and with groups and individuals within the broader community setting.
Important dates
Expression of Interest closes: 29 September 2024
Program dates: 25 January - 3 February 2024
Program summary
Where: India
When: 25 January - 3 February 2025
Costs: A$3,563*
UniSC course: COU303, COU304 or COU703
Teaching period: Semester 1, 2025
Program leader: Associate Clinical Educator Ms Zoe White and Dr Trudi Flynn
* A return flight to your destination will be organised by Program leaders and booked through UniSC's corporate travel provider FCM. This cost is indicative and will be finalised at the point of booking.
- This program can only host a small cohort of students. Successful candidates will be selected through an interview and suitability process conducted by the program leader.
This is an example program itinerary that is subject to change. A detailed program itinerary will be provided by the academics closer to the program dates.
|
Day |
Date |
AM |
PM |
|
Day 1 |
Saturday 25 January |
Yoga Morning Check-in Pick up students from airport |
Welcome gathering (followed by games with children/young people) |
|
Day 2 |
Sunday 26 January |
Yoga Picnic with children |
Debrief (followed by games with children/young people) |
|
Day 3 |
Monday 27 January |
Yoga Morning Check-in Village cultural walk Painting/gardening project |
Tree of life process with staff Tree drawing with children Debrief |
|
Day 4 |
Tuesday 28 January |
Yoga Morning Check-in Reflection process with staff |
Tree of life with children Debrief (followed by games with children/young people) Debrief |
|
Day 5 |
Wednesday 29 January |
Yoga Morning Check-in Strength-based certificates |
Debrief |
|
Day 6 |
Thursday 30 January |
Yoga Morning Check-in Closure activities with children |
Closure celebration/ceremony |
|
Day 7 |
Friday 31 January |
Travel to Varanasi Old City (Safarnama Guest House) |
Serenity Routes tour of the old city followed by Aarti |
|
Day 8 |
Saturday 1 February |
Free Time |
Free Time Closure Dinner |
|
Day 9 |
Sunday 2 February |
Reflective Workshop |
Reflective Workshop |
|
Day 10 |
Monday 3 February |
Final Closure |
Departure |
|
Program |
A$713* |
Program of activities offered by Kutumb Village |
|
Flights |
A$2000^ |
|
|
Accommodation |
A$500* |
Shared room |
|
Meals |
A$100* |
|
|
Visa |
A$150* |
|
|
Transfer |
A$50* |
|
|
Local transport |
A$50* |
|
|
FINAL COST |
A$3,563* |
* These amounts are indicative, and you will be provided with more detailed costings after you have submitted your Expression of Interest.
^ A return flight to your destination will be organised by Program leaders and booked through UniSC's corporate travel provider FCM. This cost is indicative and will be finalised at the point of booking.
What is included in the costings above:
- 9 nights’ accommodation – Kutumb Village (staying within the NGO - https://kutumbfamily.org) and accommodation at Safarnama Guest House in Varanasi (https://www.safarnamahouse.com)
- 2-day Induction and Training prior to departure
- Training, mentoring, debriefing and supervision in country
- Old City walking tour of Varanasi
- Picnic/day trip
- Exploring Ghats and Aarti ritual
- All transport for training related activities
- All meals while at Kutumb Village
- Reflective practice workshop
- Travel Insurance by university
What is not included in the costings above:
What next?
Step 1: After submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) the academic will review submissions and make final selections.
After the EOI deadline passes and if you are selected to proceed, they will send your details to the Global Mobility team. The Global Mobility team will provide you with a range of forms to complete in International SONIA.
- SONIA – is the system we use to manage student placement activities at UniSC.
If there are vaccination requirements, or other requirements, you need to meet to participate in the course (such as a blue card) we will ask you to provide evidence that you meet these requirements.
Step 2: Various teams at UniSC assess your responses and determine your eligibility to enrol in the associated course. You will be advised if you have been successful in receiving a place on the Short-Term Mobility Program by being allocated to the placement in SONIA International. You will be enrolled in the associated course on USC Central.
Step 3: You will register with any Third-Party Provider involved in the delivery of the program (if applicable).
Step 4: UniSC will send you details regarding flight costs associated with your program and your flights will be booked via UniSC Travel.
Step 5: Attend pre-departure sessions and apply for OS-HELP
Alongside this, you will be provided additional information specific to the program by the academic involved in the delivery of the Short-Term Mobility Program.
Successful applicants
Students who submit an EOI and are successful, will be required to make a $500 deposit to secure their place on the program. Once deemed successful, you will be provided with a link to make the deposit.
Cancellation & Refund Policies:
If UniSC cancels the trip, you will receive a full refund of the $500.00
If you cancel:
On or before 31 October 2024: Full refund
After 31 October 2024 and up until 15 November: You will receive a full refund of the $500.00 subject to UniSC finding a person to replace your position on the study tour. Otherwise you will not receive any refund.
After 15 November 2024: No refund
OS-Help
Overseas Student HELP loans (OS-HELP) are provided by the Commonwealth government to eligible HECS-HELP students undertaking various international experiences for credit. Eligible students can borrow up to $9,504 AUD for study in Asia. Please visit the OS-Help website to read the eligibility criteria and further information.