Jessica is based in Sydney, in her second year studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney. With an interest in human-centered design and an eagerness to learn more about Timorese culture and history, Jessica joined our Humanitarian Design Summit in Dili in June 2024. Without any idea of what to expect, Jessica shared her experience with us upon her return.
If there’s one thing my time in Timor-Leste taught me, it’s that good design can thrive anywhere. Participating in EWB’s Humanitarian Design Summit trip to Timor-Leste in July was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has broadened my perspective of engineering and deepened my understanding of the world.
This immersive, firsthand experience gave us insight into the culturally-diverse and beautiful landscape of Timor-Leste. During the two week trip, we not only learnt valuable lessons about how to adapt different engineering approaches to a specific context, but also built upon our soft skills and technical knowledge, which are essential in formulating design solutions. During our homestays, we were hosted by the wonderful and welcoming community of Railaco in Ermera district, where we were lucky enough to connect with and interview local residents. Based on these interviews, we formulated human-centered designs to directly address the needs they had identified.
Throughout this process, we were challenged to quickly build a strong rapport with our hosts and overcome language barriers, which was made possible through the help of the Timor Unearthed (EWB’s ecotourism partner) team who taught us about the importance of working together with locals to build relationships and understand their culture. As for the design process, we were encouraged to utilise systems-design processes, guiding principles and strengths-based approaches to progress our design solution. This experience has indisputably developed my skills in empathy, active listening, patience, communication and teamwork – skills that I believe will be invaluable in my career.
Among the many takeaways from this Design Summit, the friendships I forged stand out as one of the most meaningful. The intense and unique shared experience of navigating a new country together quickly turned strangers into lifelong friends, and with these same people, unforgettable memories were created including:
- Potato peeling: While staying with our homestay families, we wanted to help out as much as we could as a way of showing thanks for their generosity. We offered to help our Amaa, mother in Tetum (one of Timor-Leste’s national languages), in the kitchen, but our attempts at peeling potatoes left them a bit worse for wear. Fortunately, we redeemed ourselves by helping set the table and cleaning up afterwards.
- Microlet adventures: As microlets (a type of mini-bus) are the main form of public transport in Timor-Leste, we gradually learnt the ins and outs of the system, including the coin tap to signal the driver to stop. Despite this, I was continuously shocked at the amount of people that could squeeze into a microlet, often with four or five men hanging out of the doorway. I also experienced a fair few head bumps when exiting microlets, leaving me with a little physical reminder of the experience. A word of advice, duck for longer when exiting a microlet…
- Community goodbye party: During our homestays, the community organised a small goodbye party where we all gathered to eat and sing songs around a campfire. To encourage further immersion into the experience, we were tasked with helping our homestay families prepare a dish for the party. But I suspect that after witnessing our “amazing” kitchen skills with the potatoes, our Amaa decided to finish the cooking early before we had the chance to help. Nevertheless, we walked with our families up to the party, helping to carry food – which in my case started with a rice cooker and ended with me carrying the youngest child.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have shared this experience with the local Railaco community, our dedicated facilitator team (Alex, Anoushka, Becky, Damian, Jeremy, Madie and Mitch), Timor Unearthed and my fellow peers. This Design Summit has not only enriched my understanding of humanitarian engineering and design but also deepened my appreciation of how diverse perspectives and collaborative efforts drive meaningful solutions. The experience has strengthened my commitment to utilise a humanitarian engineering approach in my career so I can create and promote positive change in the industry.
This experience was all made possible thanks to the support of the ARBS Education and Research Foundation. This opportunity has made a significant impact on my personal and professional development and will undoubtedly continue to do so. Obrigada (thank you in Tetum).
Jessica received a scholarship from the ARBS Education and Research Foundation to attend the EWB Humanitarian Design Summit.
We are excited to announce that EWB will soon be launching a 28-day immersive experience for students in our overseas locations, as well as on-Country experiences in Australia. Keep an eye on our website and newsletter for more details!