Rocky connections grow global opportunities for Social Work students
They’ve both tackled life in unfamiliar surrounds, and social work students Simone Jorgensen and Nathalie Caraoa are using their experiences to better connect with clients and grow global careers.
Both based in Rockhampton, the pair met at CQUniversity’s social work residential school earlier this year and are both completing clinical placements with Queensland Health and CQUniversity’s Health Clinic.
Simone has travelled around the world for the opportunity, as a Danish student on study exchange with CQUniversity.
Meanwhile Rockhampton local Nathalie is doing her Bachelor of Social Work with CQUniversity, and said growing up in the Philippines drew her to the challenging career.
“I saw the issues of poverty and unemployment from a young age, then moving to Rockhampton when I was 16, I was part of my school's social justice group, fundraising and volunteering for community causes,” she said.
Nathalie initially began a Nursing degree in 2020, before realising her passion for supporting patients’ mental health and practical needs, too.
“I saw so much demand for counselling, and support through grief, and just how many aspects of people’s lives are impacted by being unwell,” she said.
“I switched to social work in 2021, and now, doing a work placement, I’ve had the opportunity to help provide holistic support for people, which not only focuses on their physical needs but also considers their social, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing and culture.
"I am definitely in the right place!”
Simone said social work processes in Australia were very different to her experiences in her home country.
“I have noticed that there is openness, warmth and humour to working with vulnerable clients in Australia, and a much more person-centred approach,” she said.
“Denmark has more formality, so this new perspective is challenging for me, but it is amazing and I will definitely take it with me back home.”
Both Simone and Nathalie will graduate next year and say their clinical placements have been invaluable.
“I’ve gained so much more awareness of the issues that are impacting people who are disadvantaged, made me more empathetic towards them,” Nathalie said.
The duo has also helped each other, joining forces to grow their understanding and knowledge.
“In the beginning I was quite overwhelmed and I had to adjust to my new life here, to uni and the systems, the assessments and the placement,” Simone said.
“Nat has been a wonderful support and good friend, and we have learned a lot about each other’s cultures too.”
Both students are contemplating careers with a global reach, too.
“I hope that this placement in Australia will allow me work outside of Denmark in the future. Who knows, maybe I will come back to Queensland Health and work as a social worker!” Simone said.
CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Social Work is available to study online, four years full time or eight years part time. Learn more about Social Work on CQU’s website.
