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
Jia Wei Neo
Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Podiatry
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