The Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) collaboration with Timor-Leste healthcare organizations continues to create real-world learning experiences for Australian medical students through hands-on clinical practice.
The initiative, which began in 2010 through ACU’s Faculty of Health Sciences and expanded via the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program, gives students direct exposure to diverse healthcare environments.
According to Deputy Head of the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences at ACU, Dr. Paul Taylor, students rapidly develop advanced capabilities and discover innovative approaches to medical care during their placements.
Fourth-year physiotherapy students Jess Clarkson and Jake Griffin recently spent four weeks in Timor-Leste, working directly with patients at Dili Hospital’s outpatient clinic. They provided rehabilitation care for stroke patients and treated individuals recovering from car accidents and brain injuries.
The experience required them to adapt to language barriers through intensive training in Tetum, Timor-Leste’s national language. Despite their basic Tetum skills presenting challenges in clinical settings, Jess observed how local staff and patients showed incredible patience and warmth when mistakes occurred.
All images are credited to the Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The students later worked in Tibar, a village 17km from Dili, partnering with Klibur Domin, a community healthcare NGO. This organization runs rehabilitation programs for children and adults with disabilities, while offering respite care, educational access, mental health support, and tuberculosis treatment.
Klibur Domin’s Managing Director, Joaquim Soares, sees how Australian students contribute fresh academic insights while gaining practical experience in settings vastly different from their home country.
Dr. Taylor attributes the program’s success to ACU’s long-term engagement in Timor-Leste. The NCP enables students to make this journey, while their consistent presence builds trust with local healthcare providers.
The experience transformed Jake’s career outlook, inspiring him to consider practicing in rural Australia, where diverse medical skills can benefit communities with limited healthcare access.
The ACU-Timor-Leste partnership continues to enhance Australian healthcare education while strengthening medical services in Timor-Leste. These cross-cultural exchanges create healthcare professionals who can adapt and excel in diverse community settings.
