Community Nutrition Elective in Vanuatu – nutrition education in the community

Program Location: Pt Villa, Vanuatu

Program Overview:

Students spend three or four weeks hosted by the Vanuatu Hockey Association who manage the local community centre used by various sport clubs and community groups. Sports, Health and Physical Activity students (BSHPA) have worked in Vanuatu sharing game skills and engaging with physical activity through Australian Football. nutrition and dietetic students work with Oceania Hockey Federation, Wan Smol Bag (WSB), the local community and local schools to promote healthy nutrition. Malnutrition including obesity is a significant public health issue rarely seen in Australia, due to long-term inadequate nutrition and an absence of nutrition services. Students will be primarily based at WSB, an Oxfam-funded theatre group promoting health that includes a nutrition centre. Working with youth, communities, government departments and schools, WSB also provides subsidised healthy lunchtime meals. Students would co-produce several projects with WSB and assist the Oceania Hockey Federation with educating amateur athletes about healthy eating. There is also an opportunity for dietetic students to support elite athletes with pre-training diets.

Program Dates: February 1 to February 22 2020 (3 to 4 weeks in-country, may extend to February 28)

Places Available: 3 x funded places available with the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant

Open To:

Year 3 Bachelor of Human Nutrition; Year 4 Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics
Students enrolling into one of the following independent studies topics:
NUTD 3110 - Bachelor of Human Nutrition
NUTD 4106 – Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Application Deadline: Monday, December 9th. See How to Apply.

Eligibility:

Students will be required to complete an on-line pre-departure module and attend three workshops with Louisa (Topic Coordinator) prior to departure.

Credit: Students receive 4.5 units credit for the Independent Studies in Nutrition topic.

Costs:

Four x $3,000 New Colombo Plan Mobility grants are available to support eligible participants in 2020.
The approximate cost for the trip is $3000 and includes;
Program fees, accommodation (resort apartments with kitchen, twin share), return airfares

Students are responsible for additional expenses such as an application for a passport, vaccinations, meals ($3 will provide a substantial meal), extra activities and personal expenses.

Students may also be eligible to apply for an OS Help Loan. Students should register their travel with Flinders travel insurance provided free of charge.

How to Apply:

Students should submit an online enquiry via Ask Flinders (click “Request Support”) and have their study plan checked by the College for program eligibility before applying.

Please ask the following question in your enquiry:

Do I have 4.5 units of elective space to participate in the NCP program ‘
Am I able to enrol into NUTD 3110 or NUTD 4106 and receive credit of 4.5 units toward my degree?

Once you have confirmed that you can enrol in NUTD3110 or NUTD 4106, submit an Expression of Interest to louisa.matwieiczyk@flinders.edu.au by the application deadline.

Your expression of interest should include the following:

Your full name, Flinders student number
Unofficial transcript (download one from the Student Systems)
A short (no more than 500 word) statement in response to the following questions:

1. Why do you want to be involved in this overseas project?

2. What are some of the learning outcomes you expect from this experience?

3. What might be some of the likely challenges for you in undertaking the overseas placement?

4. How will the experience develop your knowledge and skills as a health professional?

Further Information:

Read more on the ‘Nutrition and Dietetics general Information’ page on FLO. Scroll down to find information, videos by previous students and more.

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View the trailer.