What is the 'Psychology in an International Context: Singapore' (PICS) program?
The School of Psychology at the University of Wollongong runs the Psychology in an International Context, Singapore (or PICS) mobility program. The PICS program has received support from the Australian Government New Colombo Plan (NCP) and the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities.
The aims of the PICS program are to:
- Provide UOW Psychology students a cross-cultural international perspective on psychology, careers, research, and counselling.
- Provide UOW Psychology students with an opportunity to get to know their classmates as well as students from another country.
- Increase student's knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region and its people.
- Increase the number of friends and connections students have in region.
- Help get students more "work-ready" by gaining regional connections and experience.
The PICS program involves:
1. Wollongong-based UOW students travelling to Singapore in a group
- Students from UOW Wollongong campus will travel to Singapore for 2 weeks.
- Academic staff members travel with the group and facilitate the program.
- Students from the SIM campus in Singapore join the Wollongong-based students for 2 weeks of on- and off-campus activities.
- Academic staff members facilitate the program.
What will you do?
The program encompasses on-campus activities at our partner institution (SIM) including seminars and workshops, as well as off-campus visits (restrictions permitting), and plenty of free time to explore and socialise. You will:
Note: all subject to confirmation and change |
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How many students can be part of the program in 2025?
- There are 26 places for Wollongong-based students.
- Up to 26 Singapore-based students will also be part of the program.
What are the program dates for 2025?
- The draft travel dates for Wollongong-based students are Saturday 28 June (depart Sydney) to Thursday 10 July (arrive Sydney) 2025.
- The draft PICS program dates are: Week 1 Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July; Week 2 Monday 7 July to Wednesday 9 July 2025.
Are there any costs to participants?
- The NCP grant will cover most of the costs for Wollongong-based students, but to fully cover flights, twin-share accomodation, and other program costs there will be a student contribution of $400 per student.
- There are no costs for Singapore-based students.
Who is eligible to apply?
Students who will be completing at least two 300-level subjects at either Wollongong or SIM campus in 2025.
PICS in pictures
Testimonials
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Wollongong-based student
"The highlight for me was meeting students from a different cultural background and becoming really good friends with them regardless of all the differences we have. Also, getting to tour IMH and really understanding the possibilities to help people in certain jobs related to my degree. And gaining essential skills really helped me to evaluate what direction I want to take my degree"
Singapore-based student
"The highlight of my experience was the chance to know a group of fantastic students and professors from UOW Wollongong. I learnt a lot about life and culture in Wollongong from them. It was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed having conversations and spending time with them. Additionally, I also enjoyed the sessions of counselling skills and practice. It was a good opportunity to learn more about counselling skills, and life as a clinical psychologist in general"
Survey results from PICS2024
Post-program survey results indicated
When asked, “What are 3 things you feel that you have gained from being part of the PICS program?”, responses included:
- A 91% approval rating
- 69% of students indicated that the program exceeded their expectations, with 99% indicating it met or exceeded their expectations.
When asked, “What are 3 things you feel that you have gained from being part of the PICS program?”, responses included:
- Friends, Knowledge on careers, Connections with academics
- A career choice that I feel more confident about. Connections (that may potentially be life-long). Interesting insights to myself and about others
- Understanding of different options available for my career, Learning about counselling skills. Many valuable connections and friendships
- I have gained insight into the multifaceted career pathways in psychology (the sky's the limit!). I cultivated rich friendships with people from UOW and beyond, allowing me to develop empathy and compassion. These qualities will benefit my ability to connect with my clients and foster the therapeutic alliance.
- More friends and connections - the program was perfect to start making more solid connections within my own cohort, and that will definitely be something that stays for my future at Uni. I gained an appreciation for how overseas opportunities work, not just for education but also for research. This trip has made me significantly less averse to taking a chance should an opportunity to learn or collaborate with others internationally should arise again. I also learnt the scope of the type of research that can be conducted at UOW. I had an idea of how impactful it can be, but it wasn't until I saw Stuart's talk on the Friday that I gained an appreciation for how far you can take the research, and how much it could make a difference to the population of interest.
- Confidence. Experience, Friendships and relationships
- More insight into the needs, requirements and competitiveness of masters. An openness to research and its possibilities - as I have been purely focused on practising but a tiny intrigue into research has been lit. More connections, better understanding of the psychology field and some practical research and counselling skills!
- Confidence in my ability for making such a prestigious program. I have a newfound motivation for the rest of my degree. I gained confidence in my decision to do future study overseas, particularly in this part of the world. Learning how other people got to the top of their fields.