THE IDEAL WAY TO ROUND OFF
YOUR CSU DEGREE
Travel overseas, complete a CSU
subject and discover a new way of
learning.
My Samoan Social Work Experience was the ideal way to
round off my Masters Social Work Professional Qualifying
Degree.
Whilst in Samoa I viewed experiences through a social
justice lens. With a focus on equity I saw the competing
aspects of a traditional group, family ,culture. Samoa is a
traditional society governed by Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan
Way) - where family is all important, respect of elders is
strictly adhered to, and being of service to your family is
your duty.
One very specific and significant experience was the
opportunity to interview and assess the needs of prisoners
on the island of Savai’i, a fale style (traditional style) prison.
As a result of this opportunity I was able to reflect on agency
and advocacy roles that social workers may have in the
systemic change process with regard to the current punitive
prison system where rehabilitation is limited.
IMAGE
PLACEHOLDER
The significant message throughout the time at Samoa
Victim Support Group (SVSG) and throughout the Samoan
experience for me was the strong sense of "hope”. This
underpinning hope was coupled with, the strength and
emphasis of working together for the common goal and
focuses on equity and access to a just society in Samoa
Through my personal lens I began to see the rationale,
virtue and sensibility of working with “what is” instead of
against “what is”.
I will be eternally grateful for this extraordinary experience. I
plan to return to Samoa and work there in a social work
capacity and through this experience I have developed
networks and connections to facilitate that to happen.
Fa'afetai tele lava (thank you very much) and Toe feiloa'I
(see you later) Samoa.
Barb Gartley, Samoa 2015
Find out more about
Samoa 2016 here
Images courtesy Rose Blundell, Garth Norris
and Karen Bell, Samoa 2015
www.csu.edu.au/csuglobal