Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience Program
Coordinated by the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages and The Hawke Centre
Pre-departure preparation
The Hawke Ambassador Program has both an intellectual and a practical
dimension. Students will be required to take courses in Introduction to
International Relations (POLI 1010) and Intercultural Communication (LANG
1054) prior to commencing the placement. These courses will give students
the social, political and cultural knowledge necessary to make the volunteer
experience intellectually rewarding.
Students selected for the Program will need to enrol in the course: Hawke
Ambassador International Volunteer Experience Program (POLI 3014).
In addition, students will participate in a compulsory volunteering and
pre-service orientation workshop run by professionals from within the
volunteering community. This workshop will include an understanding of the
idea of volunteering, the student’s role as a joint representative of NGOs
and the University, risk mitigation strategies appropriate to their selected
project and location, and a discussion of future career opportunities in the
non-government sector.
Prior to departure students will be required to sign a contract with the
university and the NGO, provide evidence that they have purchased additional
travel insurance to supplement that already provided by the University, have
a valid passport and visa, and completed the necessary health checks.
Insurance
There are three types of insurance relevant to students volunteering as part of their academic Program of study:
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Public liability insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance.
Students are covered by the University’s comprehensive travel insurance
for up to four months while they are overseas. They must purchase an
additional two months of comprehensive travel insurance to ensure they are
covered for the full period of the Program.
Students are also covered under the University’s Public Liability insurance.
Professional indemnity insurance cover is designed to insure against claims
for a breach of duty in a professional capacity. For example, if a person
who is unlicensed advises someone to buy a particular share portfolio and
they lose their money as a consequence, then the person giving the advice
can be liable for the losses. Students are advised not to give any
professional advice, guidance or instruction while on a placement as the
University does not provide cover for students under these circumstances.
In some cases, students will be covered by a partner organisation’s travel
insurance.
Timeline
Students interested in applying for the Hawke Ambassador Program should
submit an online application via the UniSA International website by 15th of
January 2007.
The application can be submitted at:
www.unisa.edu.au/partner/exchange/application.asp
See below the “Guidelines for Submitting Online Application Form” for
assistance in completing your application.
The first cohort of students will commence their pre-departure preparation
in Study Period 2, 2007 and will begin the volunteering placement in Study
Period 5, 2007.
The specific length of the placement period will depend on the international
partner organisation, however it is anticipated that most placements will
last for a period of up to six months.
Those who are unable to undertake the Program overseas may have the
opportunity to work as a Hawke Ambassador locally for a similar period of
time.
Program Costs
It is estimated that each student will require approximately $3000 to
$5000 to cover transport, health insurance and living expenses during the
placement period. While this figure is dependent on the specific destination
and international placement Program, the cost of being involved in the Hawke
Ambassador Program will be much less than spending a semester studying
abroad.
The University of South Australia will offer travel scholarships to 15
students wishing to undertake the Hawke Ambassador Program in 2007. Hawke
Ambassador’s working within a local context are not eligible for the travel
grant.
The Cowan Trust will also offer one scholarship of $2,500.00 to a student
from a disadvantaged background.
Students will automatically be covered under the University’s travel
insurance scheme for up to four months. Students will need to supplement
this insurance for the additional two months they are in service.
Students who are unable to commit to the cost and/or travel of a
volunteering placement overseas may alternatively undertake an
internationally focused placement in Adelaide.
A detailed breakdown of the costs is included with the partner profiles at
the end of this document.
Students may also be are potentially eligible for Centrelink payments while
they are on their placement. Anyone requiring a letter to Centrelink to
confirm their participation in the Program please email Karen English at
UNISA International. Her email address is: karen.english@unisa.edu.au.
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