A fork in the road

jour·ney (jûr n )
n. pl. jour·neys

1. The act of traveling from one place to another; a trip.
2. A process or course likened to traveling; a passage: the journey of life.

A journey is a process that takes many forms. A physical journey is one which can present many challenges, one which can take you from one destination to another. Similarly, an inner journey presents many obstacles. These obstacles provide us with an environment to explore ourselves; an environment which enables us to grow and evolve as we traverse from one stage in our lives to another.

A few years ago I broke away from my chosen path, a path which others believed was right for me but in my heart I knew didn’t offer the satisfaction that I seeked. Having studied and worked in the ‘business arena’ I was well on the path to what my friends and family deemed as ‘being successful’ however I sensed that there was something missing. It was then that I came to understand that happiness and success describe something different to each person, that they are words which meanings are very much tailored to each individual.

Having lived and traveled in many developing countries I’ve had the opportunity to build relationships and connect to those living in the ‘third world.’ Seeing poverty first hand and hearing the voices of those touched by it transformed me, changing my outlook and forcing me to rethink my priorities and the way I chose to live my life. With knowledge and understanding came responsibility, and it was then that I chose the path less traveled.

Ask any development worker about a career in humanitarian aid and they will tell you there is, in fact, no set career path - it is one which you must forge for yourself. Many enter the ‘industry’ as naive utopian idealists only to be let down once they realize that you can’t save the world; most retreat jaded with a broken spirit.

It takes more than passion, determination and sparkling ideals to make a difference in the developing world - it requires empathy, understanding, an awareness of global issues as well as key skills acquired through a both experience and education.

To gain the skills and experience required of me to effectively facilitate community and international development I enrolled in RMIT’s Master of Social Science (International Development) course. However, while the lessons I obtained through the RMIT have been priceless, I realized that there is a limit to the knowledge that can be gained within the classroom. To really understand how to tackle issues such as poverty one must go straight to the source.

With the aid of RMIT’s Student Development Fund I undertook a three month journey through the back blocks of South East Asia. A journey that allowed me to learn, as well as transfer my knowledge and skills to constructively contribute to and influence the lives of others within developing communities.

The RMIT Student Development Fund is a funding opportunity that aims to assist RMIT students to benefit from unique learning experiences and to widen their horizons by engaging in transformational learning.

But what is a transformational learning experience?

To me, it is one which takes you beyond what is known to you in order to discover your true potential – what you are truly capable of. A transformational learning experience challenges you, tests your aptitude and opens your mind to new schools of thought. It provides clarity and an education which transcends the walls of any classroom. These learning experiences literally transform you, the way you think and how perceive the world.

My proposed 'learning experience' (as outlined in my application) is summarised below:


My transformational learning experience includes a three month journey through South East Asia. Departing Australia on December 10th 2009, I travel to Chang Mai province in Thailand where I will be spending time with the children who attend the Northern School for the Blind and its director Pikul Leosiripong.

After my time in Chang Mai I will be traveling overland to Pak Kred, 40 minutes out of Bangkok where I will be staying as a volunteer at the Pak Kred Babies Home and being mentored by the organisation’s director, Mrs Wiphawa Udomratana.

The week commencing 21st of December I will travel overland to Siem Riep, Cambodia to visit Sunrise Children’s Village.

After my brief experience in Cambodia, I will be traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to visit the Social and Medical Centre established by Christine Noble which cares for Vietnam’s street children.


On January 11th I will be flying to the remote Pampanga province in Luzon, Philippines. Here I will undertake a two month unpaid project-officer internship with the Grameen Bank. The internship involves working with the Provincial Government of Pampanga (PGP) to help design and implement a comprehensive multi-sectoral development program. The program is aimed at a significant pro-poor expansion of the provincial economy in a short period of time. The project covers the following eight sectors:

· Economic development; including large-scale access to microcredit
· Health; including reproductive health
· Universal access to education
· Agriculture; including research in livestock
· Infrastructure; including clean water, sanitation and waste management
· Environment /Climate Change
· Governance

The project will involve spending time with the community, understanding and incorporating their needs so that they can take ownership over the project and its outcomes to ensure that it is sustainable.

While the above denotes my ‘physical journey’, through this blog I hope to convey to other RMIT students the lessons I learnt through this experience, how they have transformed me and how I have applied them to my life back in Australia.

Peace, love and salutations,

Kate