Malaysian aged care students, one regional NSW town and a seemingly endless supply of chocolate, milk
Malaysian students are adapting to life in a Mid-North Coast NSW town and enjoying embracing all Australia has to offer as part of an aged care pilot program.
Mid-North Coast
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Cheap chocolate and milk has sweetened the deal for 30 Malaysian aged care students training up in the town of Macksville on the NSW Mid-North-Coast.
As part of a pilot program for training organisation NVC Group at Nambucca, the students have been studying a Certificate III in Individual Support.
The group has been doing practical placements at Autumn Lodge and Riverside Gardens Aged Care facilities.
When they aren’t studying, the students have been adapting to Australian culture. For them, that includes being able to afford milk and chocolate, which they described as much cheaper than in Malaysia.
The scholars completed three months of theoretical training in Malaysia prior to their arrival and have been relishing not only Aussie treats, but their educational experience too.
“We’re learnt a lot about caring for elderly people properly,” student Nik Azra Syazwani Binti Nik Ismail said.
“It’s really opened my eyes, to the variety of ways we can help, and makes me appreciate how to give the best care – especially in areas like infection control and food handling.”
Another student, Nurul Afiqah Binti Ridzal said: “I like the systematic care of elderly in Australia.”
“When you compare it, we have a way to go in Malaysia, and hopefully with this training we can help provide it.”
After their three month stay, the students are due to return to Malaysia and forge their career paths.
They will enjoy the Nambucca Valley in the meantime – the river, beach, watching sunrises, the scenery and regional life.
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