Studying Podiatry in Brisbane

Many a times, when you ask someone from the health sector the reason for them joining this industry, you will often hear them say that it is the desire to care for somebody that draws them in. Cliché as it may sound; I too am drawn into healthcare for this simple reason. It makes me happy being able to make a difference in people’s lives, no matter how small it may seem. Doing podiatry has helped me to appreciate how hard our feet have worked for us, and the importance of good foot health. According to Pro Foot Centre.com, the total forces acting on our feet can amount to hundreds of tons, equivalent to an average of a fully loaded cement truck during an average day of walking. The very fact that it is an area of care where many people tend to neglect makes me want to pursue podiatry even more.

The opportunity to study in Australia has been quite an experience! The biggest challenge for me is learning to step out of my comfort zone and to be independent. Engaging in their culture is something that I have to actively take initiative in. Speaking is one barrier I have learnt to overcome; it is one thing for you to understand them and another for them to understand you. As you know, we have a really cool Singaporean accent and we all grow up speaking Singlish! I fondly remember some of the awkward conversations that I had with the locals when I first arrived in Brisbane.

The next best thing is definitely the good friends that I have made here. Being miles away from home, it is comforting to have a group of friends who is always there to support you. It makes living abroad much easier and more enriching. Cooking is one passion that binds us together. My friends and I would try out different recipes and cook for each other, and explore new places for good food and coffee together. On top of that, we get to travel around Australia together during our holidays.

Things I love about Australia.

The weather is beautiful. During sunny days, the weather is just perfect for you to sit outside because the air is cool and crisp.  During winter, you can rock up a thick jacket and a pair of woolly boots, an experience you can never have living in the hot and humid Singapore.

Groceries shopping: Every Saturday is a faithful routine to the weekend market to get fresh fruits and vegetables.  Seeing the array of finely picked and colourful vegetables makes it even more tempting to whip up new dishes! Every Wednesday, we will check out the supermarket weekly catalogue for specials and discounts for certain items. I love the idea of weekly catalogue; it makes me look forward to doing groceries shopping each week. The discount here is fabulous; it can go as high as half price on certain items. I guess no matter where you are in the world, each and every one of us will still have the essence that makes us Singaporeans.

Imagine walking into a bakery filled with the aroma of freshly baked loaves and coffee at the start of the day. It is a great way to start your day! Coffee drinking is part of the Aussie culture with new cafes sprouting out at every corner of the street. One will find the tiniest bit of excuse to get the freshly brewed fragrant coffee even when you are wide awake.

All in all, being awarded the scholarship has provided me with this fantastic opportunity to pursue my passion in healthcare. Truly I hope to see more people joining this industry, from the young people fresh from junior colleges and polytechnics as well as those looking for a career change. Having only a year left in the university, I am looking forward to begin the next chapter in my life in Singapore’s health industry, I am hopeful that the experiences gleaned from my training in university as well living abroad independently will enable me to render the best help that I can to my patients and to give back to the community. 

Written by:
Jia Wei Neo
Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Podiatry