Think Pacific

At Northumbria, we recognise the value of gaining experience beyond our campus and enhancing your employability in a new environment.

Mental health Nursing students at Northumbria are encouraged to participate in a short-term international programme with our partner Think Pacific.

The Mental Health Placement: Bali

This beautiful province in Indonesia offers a lush and inspiring setting for you to gain context of mental health from a Balinese perspective and learn how activities, processes and support differ to your own country. On this programme, you will work as part of a team to deliver psycho-social group activities at a selection of trusted partner projects and local initiatives. Working as part of a team with qualified local staff will help develop your own understanding of mental health and help support wellbeing in the community.

The project will include learning and development sessions led by local Indonesian mental health support professionals. You will facilitate group psycho-social activities working in a variety of projects supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and adults at Think Pacific’s partner projects which include community centres, day centres and schools. 

As well as gaining invaluable international experience in a mental health context you will also have the opportunity to explore Bali.

Mental Health Advocacy Initiative: Fiji

Develop your soft skills and global understanding in a stunning, exotic island. Step outside of your comfort zone to experience true cultural immersion and help young Fijians in rural communities understand the importance of their mental health. Living in the heart of a Fijian community and learning about traditional skills, culture and customs, this project promises to be a lifechanging experience that will stay with you long after you return home.

The programme is divided into morning workshops and culture courses to give you an immersive and holistic experience of mental health in Fiji. The morning sessions are designed to stimulate grassroots discussions around issues facing young people and raise awareness of mental health in the local community and are facilitated by qualified project leaders representing partner organisations in the mental health space. These sessions are active, fun and engaging and crucially open up a cross-cultural discussion on incredibly important and often misunderstood subjects, on behalf of local partners.

The rest of the project will be made up of sessions led by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs (Arts, Heritage and Culture), giving you the chance to learn about Fiji’s culture from those who know it best. This interactive cultural education course will enable you to appreciate and celebrate traditional Fijian lifestyle specific to each village.