Articles categorized as ‘Career Spotlight’

Friday, May 11th, 2012

UQ Nursing School gets Canadian Accreditation

Happy International Nurses’ Week!

As a way to celebrate all things nurses, we wanted to share some exciting news with you!

The UQ Nursing School is the first School of Nursing and Midwifery outside Canada to receive international accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) for its Bachelor of Nursing program.

The result of the successful accreditation will enable UQ Nursing School graduates looking to live and work internationally, the ability to seek registration as a nurse in Canada.

Prior to the accreditation of the UQ Bachelor of Nursing, the registration process for UQ Nursing School educated nurses seeking registration in Canada had its steps as there are discrepancies in accreditation of nurse training and education programs between the two countries.

A mutual recognition agreement between the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in the United States, will mean that UQ Nursing School educated nurses who become registered in Canada will also be eligible to seek registration within the United States.

According to Head of School Professor Catherine Turner the accreditation from CASN is quite an achievement for UQ and the UQ Nursing School.

“The School is incredibly pleased and honoured to receive this international first,” said Professor Turner. “We commenced the accreditation process about two years ago. While it was initially a slow and costly endeavour, the School is now able to continue the accreditation process into the future,” said Professor Turner.

“The Canadian accreditation will benefit UQ Nursing School educated nurses and current students who would like to expand their scope of practice through working in either Canada or the United States,” said Professor Turner. “UQ really is preparing graduates for a global health workforce.”

This is such exciting news for Canadian students completing their nursing degree at the UQ Nursing School!

Learn more about the UQ Nursing School.

Find out how you can apply to Australian Nursing Schools in Australia!

Tags: Australian Nursing Schools in Australia, OzTREKK, Study in Australia, UQ, UQ Nursing School
Posted in Career Spotlight, News Blog, University News | Comments Off

Monday, May 7th, 2012

Bond University Law School: What is the difference between the LLB and the JD?

Travelling to Australia to study law will bring on many questions that you’ll want answered. Whether it’s understanding the degrees or knowing your options post-graduation, the Bond University Law School has collaborated a number of the Frequently Asked Questions students ask about studying law in Australia:

What is the difference between the LLB and JD?

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and the Juris Doctor (JD) are both professionally recognized degrees. The JD entry is restricted to graduate students while the LLB has no such restriction.

Law has traditionally been taken as a first degree in Australia and ‘LLB’ is the traditional label for that degree. However, a number of universities have introduced ‘JD’ degrees for graduate entrants. The compulsory law units for the two Bond University Law School degrees cover the same content and students in these subjects may be taught together.

The LLB comprises 32 subjects in total, including 19 compulsory law units and 4 compulsory non-law units.

The JD comprises 24 subjects in total, all being law units, with 19 of the units being compulsory. Electives for the JD are taken from the LLM (Master of Laws) list rather than the LLB list.

Canadians who possess a first degree generally enrol for the Bond University Law School JD.

After I graduate, what do I have to do in order to be eligible to practise law in Canada?

To practise law in Canada, you will need to complete a Canadian bar admission course. To be eligible for a bar admission course in any of the common law provinces (ie excluding Quebec), you will need a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (the ‘NCA’) of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. The certificate will state that you have education and training equivalent to that of a graduate from a Canadian law school.

Application is made to the NCA at the end of your degree at Bond. The NCA will review your record and prescribe a number of examinations in Canadian law. Click to view the NCA’s guidelines.

The NCA makes its decisions on an individual basis, taking account of academic performance, and will not issue advance rulings.

The NCA introduced a new scheme in early 2009. Most recent Bond graduates have been required to take four examinations in Canadian law: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Principles of Administrative Law, and Foundations of Canadian Law. Bond currently teaches electives in Canadian Constitutional Law, Canadian Administrative Law and Canadian Criminal Law and Procedure which, subject to certain conditions, have been recognised by the NCA as satisfying its requirements for these subjects.

How can I take the examinations in Canadian law?

There are two ways of taking these examinations if they have not been taken as part of a Bond University Law School degree.

You may seek admission to a Canadian law school for this purpose. Places are limited. Alternatively, you may take ‘challenge exams’ set by the NCA. The more popular route is the challenge exams.

How much difference is there between Australian and Canadian law?

The principles and methodology of Australian and Canadian law are similar. The details of statutory provisions and case-law obviously differ but an Australian law degree provides a good basis for taking examinations in Canadian law and for legal practice in Canada.

Can I take some of the examinations by going on exchange to a Canadian law school?

Our Canadian students are permitted to credit one semester at a Canadian law school toward their Bond degrees (usually the elective component). However, there is no guarantee that the subjects needed will be available that semester or visiting students will be permitted to take them.

Will I be able to stay in Australia and practise law there?

There are two separate issues here: qualification as an Australian Lawyer and possession of a visa entitling you to work in Australia. Admission to the legal profession in Australia requires, depending on the State, the completion of either articles or a six-month Practical Legal Training program. Australian immigration operates on a ‘points’ system for working visas. Some points are awarded for having an Australian degree but additional points are required. Some of our graduates have qualified and are working in Australia. For further information, you should contact the Department of Immigration or an Australian consulate in Canada.

Learn more about the Bond University Law School!

Tags: Bond University Law School, OzTREKK, Study in Australia
Posted in Career Spotlight, News Blog, University News | Comments Off

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Program of the Month: Environmental Programs

We know we’re as predictable as Edmonton’s winter temperatures, but we’re excited to feature some leading-edge environmental programs offered by our Australian university partners. Australia is notorious for its approach to water sustainability and environmentalism and the programs we showcase this month not only complement Australia’s approach, but also prepare students for the environmental industry across the globe.

University: James Cook University
Course: Master of Education (Sustainability)
Duration: 1.5 Years
Description: The course explores local, regional, national and international issues of sustainability and stewardship of national resources. Students are exposed to issues associated with local ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Areas, and gain an appreciation of these outstanding regional natural assets within a global context, and the roles that local communities may have in contributing to stewardship.

University: Monash University
Course: Master of Sustainability
Duration: 1.5 Years
Description: This interdisciplinary course is designed to meet the needs of graduates from a wide range of backgrounds who wish to enhance their qualifications for careers in environmental sustainability, corporate sustainability management, or sustainable development, encompassing policy and analysis, planning, consulting, education, advocacy and management. It is also designed for those who wish to broaden and deepen their understanding and experience to enable societal, organizational and individual change and responsible action to support sustainability both domestically and internationally. The Master of Sustainability comprises three distinct streams, including environmental and sustainability, corporate and environmental sustainability management and international development and environmental analysis.

University: University of Melbourne
Course: Master of Urban Horticulture
Duration: 2 Years
Description: The University of Melbourne Master of Urban Horticulture is designed for students seeking professional employment or research careers in the design, implementation and management of urban landscapes. They provide you with an understanding of the biological, socio-cultural and environmental factors that shape horticultural systems so that you can develop new programs and operations for urban improvement through, for example, design of public open spaces, revegetation and restoration projects, and nursery and greenhouse management.

University: University of Queensland
Course: Master of Integrated Water Management
Duration: 1.5 Years
Description: The program draws on the expertise of international leaders in teaching and research across a wide breadth of disciplines, taking a multidisciplinary whole-of-water-cycle approach that equips students with practical tools and skills for adopting innovative solutions to local, regional, national and international water resource issues. Students will develop the strategic, managerial and technical skills they need to advance in the water sector. They will become familiar with all aspects of integrated water resource management; be capable of providing water management expertise to help reduce poverty through equitable and sustainable use of water; be skilled to provide technical and managerial input into planning, design and operation of water projects and facilities; understand the principles of managing water supply, wastewater treatment and urban infrastructure projects; recognise the socio-economic factors impacting effective water solutions; and understand the governance and institutional frameworks underpinning water resource management. This program is also offered at Monash University.

University: University of Sydney
Course: Master of Agriculture
Duration: 1 Year
Description: The Master of Agriculture is focused on providing students with the know-how and skills to address and create solutions for the most challenging issues of our time affecting agriculture and the management of our natural resources, such as food security, climate change, carbon, water and the environment.
The course considers these issues from the perspectives of science and economics, enabling students from different educational backgrounds to extend their knowledge and develop skills in a number of related disciplines and also to apply this learning in a curriculum that includes field trips, work experience, practical classes and research.

More Programs

Macquarie University Master of Environmental Management
University of Melbourne Master of Environment
University of Melbourne Master of Forest Ecosystem Science
Macquarie University Master of Environmental Law
Monash University Master of Journalism/Master of Sustainability
University of Sydney Master of Environmental Science and Law

Apply now to Australian University Environmental Programs!

Tags: James Cook University, Macquarie University, Monash University, OzTREKK, Study in Australia, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Sydney
Posted in Career Spotlight, News Blog | Comments Off

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

Macquarie University launches Physiotherapy School!

Macquarie University recently launched the Macquarie University Physiotherapy School!

This will be the first Doctor of Physiotherapy degree offered in the State of New South Wales, demonstrating how Macquarie University continues to prove itself as a leading health sciences university.

Canadians interested in studying at an Australian Physiotherapy School will be interested to learn more about the Macquarie University Physiotherapy School. Not only is the Doctor of Physiotherapy program intended for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree, the school wants to provide the best possible leadership, research and clinical experience for its students.

So, let’s review the program, shall we?

About the Program

The Macquarie University Physiotherapy School Doctor of Physiotherapy is an extended master’s level, professional-entry degree and will produce physiotherapists with advanced clinical decision-making abilities to practice person-centred health care in contemporary health-care environments. Students will learn the skills of the physiotherapist based on the best available evidence to effectively assess, diagnose, treat and educate people across all ages with disorders of movement resulting from a range of conditions. Macquarie University Physiotherapy School students will graduate with advanced clinical skills as well as business, management and leadership training and will be ready to launch a fulfilling career as a physiotherapist across a broad range of health-care settings.

The program consists of a combination of coursework and supervised clinical placements. Students will undertake 150 days of clinical practice, both integrated throughout your program and in five-week blocks. Students will learn from leading physiotherapy academics and researchers as well as from expert clinicians to provide you with a sound foundation of evidence-based physiotherapy practice. Students will also be required to complete a research project.

FAQs

Here are some FAQS that will help answer some of your questions:

Why has Macquarie decided to branch into Physiotherapy?
Macquarie University offers a suite of allied health courses in audiology, speech pathology, clinical and neuropsychology. Physiotherapy is a valuable addition to these services in light of the new Macquarie University Hospital (MUH) and associated clinics as well as the Australian School of Advanced Medicine. The addition of this discipline will enable a collaborative and interprofessional approach to education and patient management in a modern health environment.

Beyond Macquarie University, research shows an increasing shortage of physiotherapists across Australia. Graduates will be work ready and highly qualified to launch a long, fulfilling and broad career both in Australia and internationally.

What are the prerequisites?
Students must have completed at least a three-year undergraduate degree with pre-requisites in various subject areas. Typically they will have completed bachelor degrees in exercise science, biomedical or health sciences.

Is there a cap on the number of places available?
Entry into the Macquarie University Physiotherapy School Doctor of Physiotherapy will be highly competitive with a limited number of places offered.

What skills will this program develop?
Students will study the scientific basis of physiotherapy and develop competence in the practice of physiotherapy. Graduates will have with work ready skills in the the assessment, treatment and education of people with a wide range of conditions affecting movement across the lifespan. They will also learn and develop advanced clinical, business, management and leadership skills, preparing the graduate physiotherapist for a long term and broad career in a variety of clinical settings, research and management.

Will there be clinical placements in MUH?
The Macquarie University Physiotherapy School will work collaboratively with the Advanced School of Medicine and the Macquarie Hospital and Clinics to offer students extensive clinical experience. In addition, students will undertake clinical placements in a range of settings with healthcare providers and industries external to the University.

Where can students go post-graduation?
Macquarie University Physiotherapy School graduates will be well prepared to meet the future healthcare needs in Australia and internationally with education in advanced areas including health technology, imaging, management and leadership as well as a focus on chronic disease management, disability and aged care.

Apply now!

Applications for the March 2013 intake are currently being accepted and close March 30, 2012. If you’re interested in this program, please ensure you contact OzTREKK’s Australian Physiotherapy School admissions officer, Shannon Tilston. She can give you all the applications details and work with you to get the application completed.

Apply now to the Macquarie University Physiotherapy School!

Tags: Australian Physiotherapy School, Macquarie University, Macquarie University Physiotherapy School, OzTREKK, Study in Australia
Posted in Career Spotlight, News Blog, University News | Comments Off

Monday, March 19th, 2012

Program of the Month: Australian Dental Schools

Australian Dental Schools have the ability to bring your long-term career dreams to a reality! As this month’s OzTREKK Program of the Month, we highlight how the Australian Dental Schools system works and how Canadians have the opportunity to register back home in Canada.

Australian Dental Schools have traditionally been structured similarly to many other professional programs offered at Australian universities. At most Australian universities, students can enter a dental science program directly from high school. Students from Canada, who have already completed an undergraduate degree, can also apply for entry in to the bachelor programs. These undergraduate-entry level dental programs at Australian Dental Schools are typically five years in length.

For those who have completed an undergraduate degree, the University of Melbourne Dental School launched a new Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program in 2011. The University of Sydney Dental School‘s Doctor of Dental Medicine is also a graduate-entry program.

International applicants can enter the James Cook University Dental School Bachelor of Dental Surgery and the University of Queensland Dental School Bachelor of Dental Science directly from high school or after having partially or fully completed post-secondary studies.

University: James Cook University Dental School
Course: Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Duration: 5 Years
Description: The James Cook University Dental School Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) is a broad-based program that includes all aspects of dental practice and aims to promote improved oral health care delivery, particularly to people living in rural, remote and tropical regions of Australia. The curriculum integrates the basic sciences with dental clinical sciences and preventative oral health strategies. James Cook University Dental School students will have early exposure to clinical practice, with an increasing proportion of the course dedicated to clinical skills in the later years.

University: University of Melbourne Dental School
Course: Doctor of Dental Surgery
Duration: 4 Years
Description: The University of Melbourne Dental School offers the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), which incorporates all aspects related to the provision of advanced general dental care to patients as well as teaches students to prepare, develop, execute and write for publication a small research project.

Students will spend their entire final year in clinical settings including the planned University of Melbourne Dental School private dental clinic, community health centres and rural community clinics which will include provision of oral health care to the aboriginal community. Students will also learn how to run a private practice based on a small-business model.

University: University of Queensland Dental School
Course: Bachelor of Dental Science
Duration: 5 Years
Description: The University of Queensland Dental School Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc) students enter this program in second year, following one year of science at the university. The remaining four years of the program involve three years of applied dental science and one year of extramural clinical practice. Clinical work begins in second year and is broadened in the third and fourth years of study. Each student is assigned patients and is then responsible for the dental care of these patients. The final year of study provides external clinical experience. Students will be rotated to a variety of state government health clinics including rural, school, hospital and community clinics.

University: University of Sydney Dental School
Course: Doctor of Dental Medicine
Duration: 4 Years
Description: The University of Sydney Dental School’s Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) is a graduate-entry program that has been purposefully designed to adhere to the well-rounded course structure of the North American postgraduate model, but has also maintained the sophisticated clinical training for which the University of Sydney Dental School has come to be renowned, giving students an applicable knowledge of dental health from the community to the laboratory.

The University of Sydney Dental School is about comprehensive learning, and embracing all the aspects of becoming a successful dentist. Sub-units integrate academic disciplines such as endodontics and orthodontics with the requisite training needed to evolve dental health knowledge into the highly specialized skills of a dental health professional.

Practising Dentistry in Canada

An exciting agreement has been formed between the Australian Dental Council and the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), which is good news for Canadians who want to complete a dentistry program in Australia.

Two years ago, a reciprocal agreement was signed between the two organizations, which will recognize both Canadian and Australian graduates from accredited programs for certification and licensure.

CDAC Coordinator Lee Callan told OzTREKK this agreement means that Australian Dental Schools graduates will be deemed to have the same credentials as Canadian and American dental school graduates.

“Graduates from accredited Australian dental school are now on par with Canadian standards and will receive the same privileges as Canadian and American dental school graduates,” she explains. “They will be eligible for licensure in Canada.”

Following successful completion of an accredited dentistry program in Australia, Australian Dental Schools graduates are eligible to write the national board exam administered by the National Dental Examination Board of Canada, which is the principal requirement for a licence to practise dentistry in Canada, subject to current provincial regulations. With successful completion of the national board exam, graduates are eligible to apply for provincial registration, requesting for a licence to practise dentistry.

What does this mean for Canadians who wish to study dentistry in Australia?

Previously, no overseas program outside North America was accredited by CDAC. Graduates of non-accredited dental programs had to successfully complete an accredited two-year qualifying program prior to being eligible to participate in the board’s certification process. It’s a competitive program with many applicants vying for limited spots. Now that the reciprocity agreement was signed, Australian Dental Schools graduates complete the program and are no longer required to complete the bridging program. Instead, they complete the same licensure process in Canada as Canadian and American dental school graduates.

“The national board exams will be accessible to Australian dental school graduates,” says Callan.

Apply now to Australian Dental Schools!

Learn more about the James Cook University Dental School
Learn more about the University of Melbourne Dental School
Learn more about the University of Queensland Dental School
Learn more about the University of Sydney Dental School

Tags: Australian Dental Schools, James Cook University Dental School, OzTREKK, Study in Australia, University of Melbourne Dental School, University of Queensland Dental School, University of Sydney Dental School
Posted in Career Spotlight, News Blog | Comments Off

Friday, March 16th, 2012

Melbourne Dental School: Prerequisite Course Tips

Melbourne Dental School requires applicants to fulfill its prerequisite list to be eligible for consideration at the school. OzTREKK’s Australian Dental Schools admission officer, Christine Chu, helps Canadians through the application process, including this prerequisite process.

If you’re thinking about applying to the Melbourne Dental School, here are answers to some commonly asked questions we receive from prospective applicants.

Christine’s Melbourne Dental School Prereq Tips:

Melbourne Dental School’s DDS has three prerequisite subjects: human anatomy, human physiology and biochemistry.
Melbourne Dental School’s prerequisite courses are worth 12.5 credit points, which is equivalent to a standard single semester subject.
The Melbourne Dental School has just recently posted their list of previously assessed and/or approved courses on their website: http://sc.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/sites/studentcentre/files/Prerequisites_International.pdf. Students can see if courses they have previously taken – or plan to take – meet the university’s prerequisites.
The earlier course outlines can be submitted, the better! Make sure you check the course program information and submit your course outlines early for assessment. The latest they will be accepted for pre-assessment is May 1 of the year in which the student is applying. The closer it gets to the deadline, the busier the coordinators are, and the assessment times are considerably longer. Course outlines provided after May 1 can still be assessed, but outcomes will not be provided before the application deadline.
Also, please don’t assume that just because you have taken courses in these three areas, you have automatically met the prerequisites! Each course is assessed on a case-by-case basis and there are specific components that must be met for each one. But don’t worry; Christine will guide you through the assessment process.

Whichever Australian Dental Schools you decide to apply to, please don’t hesitate to contact Christine at any time.

Laughing Gas Not Necessary

One more thing before we let you go for the weekend.

Dentists sometimes get a bad rap for being too serious. To showcase just how jovial dentists can be, here are a few jokes that will have you rolling in the dentist’s chair. If nothing else, you can rhyme these jokes off to your nieces and nephews. And yes, we do embrace our childish sense of humour, thanks for asking!

Q. What does the dentist of the year get?
A. A little plaque.

Q. What does the dentist see at the North Pole?
A. A molar bear.

Q. Why did the dentist make a poor date with the manicurist?
A. Because they fought both tooth and nail!

Q. What was the dentist doing in Panama?
A. He was looking for the Root Canal.

Learn more about the Melbourne Dental School

Apply now to Australian Dental Schools

Tags: Australian Dental Schools, Melbourne Dental School, OzTREKK, Study in Australia
Posted in Career Spotlight, News Blog, University News | Comments Off

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Melbourne Dental School Second-Year OzTREKK Student: It’s all about balance!

Melbourne Dental School second-year OzTREKK student Jasper Follows offers his advice to first-year students

With a year under his belt, University of Melbourne Dental School student Jasper Follows has a lot to say about what he learned both in the class and in the city.

The West Vancouver native and Whitman College graduate started the Melbourne Dental School DDS program when it first launched in 2011.

Last year, OzTREKK checked in with Jasper following his first few weeks on campus. He provided us with his first impressions of Melbourne as well as with the Melbourne Dental School Doctor of Dental Surgery program and life on campus.

It’s been a month since he started the second of the four-year program. Now that he’s a sophomore, he can reflect on what he took away from his first year in Australia and pass it on to the first-year students.

Like most students starting a new program, particularly overseas, he had to find balance.

“My first year at Melbourne Dental School was a whirlwind,” he says. “It was hard to keep school a priority whilst becoming familiar with a new city as lively as Melbourne as well as making new friends. Despite the busyness both academically and socially, I really enjoyed the year.”

He says he liked that the university eased the students into the program.

“At first, we had quite a lot of time off and the schedule was quite forgiving. Then, as we settled into school, it became more rigorous,” he explains, adding he doesn’t believe the Melbourne Dental School program is as intensive as the in North American DDS programs.

“But that isn’t to say we don’t learn as much. It’s just that there is more onus on students to learn things individually here rather than being led the way.”

Jasper says he prefers the University of Melbourne approach as it’s more suitable to a graduate-school format.

What he wishes differently for the program is for it to be better organized.

“The schedule seems to constantly be changing and often we won’t know what lectures we’ll be getting the next day,” he explains. “However, this is the nature of a new program and being the inaugural class, that is to be somewhat expected.”

Jasper headed home to Canada for the holiday break in December. He says it was the perfect opportunity to recharge his batteries.

“It was really nice to come home for a visit and spend time with family and old friends again,” he says. “It was also nice to compare the little differences that one doesn’t necessarily notice whilst away from home. I certainly hope to return home for a few visits during my time here in Melbourne.”

Entering Second Year

Now that he’s already into his second year, he says he looks forward to applying the knowledge he acquired in his first year in a clinical setting. In fact, the clinical work has already begun!

“We saw our first patients in the second week of class and it was the most nerve-wracking yet exciting thing that I’ve done yet,” he says. “Once it was over, I got this great feeling of satisfaction of having properly treated someone, even if it was just a simple medical history. So, as we see more and more patients, I’m hoping that I will enjoy this aspect even more.”

First-year Tips

Jasper has a few tips for the first-year Melbourne Dental School students, and it all comes down to balancing one’s life.

“Keep up to date with school work right off the bat because it’s easy to fall behind,” he says. “However, if there’s any year to really enjoy oneself and see all of Melbourne, first year is the year to do it! Don’t lock yourself away. A good balance of academics, exercise and a social life will keep you happy and healthy.”

Learn more about the Melbourne Dental School

Tags: Melbourne Dental School, OzTREKK, Study in Australia, University of Melbourne
Posted in Career Spotlight, News Blog, University News | Comments Off

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Melbourne Dental School: A Day in the Life of an OzTREKK Student

Melbourne Dental School student Sung Suk Oh recently started his first of four years at the renowned Australian Dental Schools in Australia and he is living the dream.

Sung with a Shark Jaw

Applying through OzTREKK, Sung recently provided us with an update about his studies and how he’s finding life in Australia.

Sung initially decided to study at the Melbourne Dental School for a number of reasons.

“I chose to study at University of Melbourne because of the early exposure to clinical settings,” he says. “It’s a highly recognized university worldwide and it offers state-of-the-art facilities and pre-clinical labs and it provides evidence-based learning and research. And hey, why not? It’s a warm place!”

Now that he’s six weeks into the Melbourne Dental School program, Sung gave us a true glimpse of his daily life, which includes a demanding class and study schedule in Melbourne.

“The lectures are all held in the Royal Dental Hospital and the lectures and courses are somewhat intense for oral structure and functions, because we have numerous lectures within a week with intense material in each lecture, plus three-hour practicals each week,” he explains. “The other courses include dental materials (pre-clinical), cariology, and behavioral science and population oral health.”

Sung says if he were to come into the first year again, he would have reviewed head and neck anatomy as there’s a lot of focus on that area of study in the first semester.

Sung says the lectures run until 5 p.m. and it translates to limited study time.

“My initial impression was that the courses are very intense and it feels like I am always short in time, however I have to say time management and not procrastinating are key elements to success, which is needed as a dental student,” he says.

When it comes to the professors on staff, he has nothing but praise for them.

“The professors are very professional in their specialty, are very welcoming and respond well to questions,” he says. “Also, it was a surprise that I had no hard time in understanding the professors’ Australian accents!”

Life in Australia

Sung with OzTREKK Students Tina and Darren as well as Ara

Now that he’s set up in Melbourne, Sung says his three tops things about Melbourne include the weather, the food and coffee and the Melbournian relaxed atmosphere. He cheated on his response to us, adding a fourth and fifth item to his list.

“Melbourne has marvelous night views and I love the Aussie accent,” he says.

His top three things about the University of Melbourne include its facilities and teaching staff, its organized courses and creative teaching methods and that it’s a research-oriented school.

As for his feedback for the Melbourne Dental School, he says he wishes the orientation seminar was better organized and that the school would provide students with anatomical models of the teeth so they can study these models at home. Otherwise, Sung says he understands the Melbourne Dental School program expectations are high for its students.

“I knew dental school would be tough so I cannot complain about the fast-moving pace and the overloading lecture materials,” he says.

Though he is not sure whether he plans to specialize and if he will return to Canada or remain in Australia following graduation, Sung is sure of one thing.

“I am truly happy and honored to be studying what I always wanted to do,” he says.

Learn more about the Melbourne Dental School

Find out how to apply to Australian Dental Schools in Australia

Tags: Australian Dental Schools in Australia, Melbourne Dental School, OzTREKK, Study in Australia, University of Melbourne
Posted in Career Spotlight, News Blog, University News | Comments Off

Monday, March 5th, 2012

James Cook University Public Health School OzTREKK Student: “An Incredible Experience”

James Cook University Public Health School OzTREKK Student Shares her Experiences

Last year, OzTREKK had the pleasure of working with Canadian Sarah Makepeace. We helped her apply to the James Cook University Public Health School and now, one year later, she’s wrapping up her last semester and loving every moment at campus and in Australia! We caught up with her to find out how she’s doing and what she hopes to do following graduation.

OzTREKK: Why did you decide to study public health at the James Cook University Public Health School?

Sarah: When I realized that I wanted to do a Masters of Public Health, I began to search online to see what programs were offered. A friend of mine recommended that I contact OzTREKK as he had had a positive experience. I hadn’t even thought about studying in Australia. Once I contacted OzTREKK, I started looking at universities in Australia and I found JCU pretty quickly. The program sounded incredible and was also different to other public health degrees that I had found. The James Cook University Public Health School program has a tropical medicine focus, and also offers a range of courses that I was interested in, including Refugee Health, Communicable Disease Control, Disaster Health Management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Acute Care in the Resource Poor Environment. The degree also offered a major in Health Promotion which was exactly what I was looking for. I should probably mention that this degree is coursework based, not thesis based which won me over immediately.

OzTREKK: What area did you decide to specialize in and why?

Sarah: I decided to specialize in Health Promotion. My undergrad was in Nutrition and Health and ever since I finished my degree, I realized that treating sick people wasn’t for me. I wanted to work on the prevention of disease/other health conditions as well as educating and providing communities with the information they need to take control over their own health and this is exactly what Health Promotion is all about. Well that’s an easier description of Health Promotion and I absolutely love it!

OzTREKK: Do you find the rural and tropical health focus at JCU is relevant for Canadians?

Sarah: I believe that the rural health focus at the James Cook University Public Health School is both interesting and important. It is certainly relevant to Canadians as we also have a large number of rural communities who may face similar problems to those found in Australia. There is a large focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in this degree, which is also very useful information for Canadians (reference to First Nation People). As for the tropical health focus, it may not be relevant for Canadians but I have to say, it has been incredibly fascinating and there is nothing like it offered in Canada.

OzTREKK: What are your plans following graduation?

Sarah: Following graduation in June, I am going to apply for jobs here in Townsville (or anywhere in Northern Queensland) as I really love it here in the tropics. I have been networking since I moved to Townsville in January of last year, and have made friends with the girls at the local Public Health Unit. I am also an executive member of the Australian Health Promotion Association and will be tutoring a Health Promotion Undergrad class this semester which I am really looking forward to. There are heaps of work opportunities here in Northern Queensland, especially in the rural and remote areas.

OzTREKK: What advice would you give to Canadians thinking of completing the public health program at JCU?

Sarah: I have had an incredible experience here at JCU. I love the university, the lecturers and everyone that is involved in the James Cook University Public Health School Master of Public Health. The lecturers are all very supportive, understanding and helpful and I have been impressed since the first day of my first course. I have met some amazing people through this course, most of them have been doing amazing work all over the world and have really opened my eyes to what I can do with my degree. There are so many opportunities out there in the field of public health and I continue to change my mind on what I want to do. The majority of people in the program are doctors, nurses and other students from all health professions and the age range varies, from 24-55. It’s a pretty diverse group which makes the experience even better.

Learn more about the James Cook University Public Health School!

Find out how to apply to Australian Public Health Schools

Tags: Australian Public Health Schools, James Cook University Public Health School, JCU, OzTREKK, Study in Australia
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Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

University of Queensland Public Health Student gets WHO Internship!

University of Queensland Public Health School – and OzTREKK student – Caroline Marshall got a WHO internship, which she is currently completing!

OzTREKK was so excited to hear about Caroline’s opportunity, especially since we have deemed Public Health as our February Program of the Month! We wanted to feature her experience at the World Health Organization, and her love her energy and dedication toward public health. We also love her photos and they make us want to board the next plane to Geneva. Just sayin’.

Here is a Q&A between OzTREKK and Caroline:

Why did you decide to study Public Health at the University of Queensland?

I heard about the Master of Public Health program through a colleague on a public health campaign. She had recently completed the program and was very positive about her time in Australia. I thought that obtaining my degree internationally would give me a better perspective on global health.

What is your impression of the program?

The University of Queensland program is full of interesting research in many different fields. There is a wide variety of courses available, and students have great opportunities to take courses in other fields and interact with world-renowned researchers. The program really encourages student independence and the development of research skills, and enables students to network with other students from across the globe.

Why and how did you set up your internship with the WHO?

I applied for the WHO internship online prior to arriving in Australia, and arranged to take up my internship over the Australian summer holiday. The WHO is a global leader in public health, and has created a significant amount of the most important public health policy documents in existence today. I was honored to be given the opportunity to work for them, and to get a glimpse of the workings of such an important organization.

How long is your internship?

Originally my internship was meant to be 2 months long, but I have been given the opportunity to extend my internship for 1 more month, for a grand total of 3 months.

What are you currently working on during your internship? Who do you work with?

I am an intern with the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, working for Dr. Philippe Duclos, who is the Secretariat of the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. In this role, I am coordinating the hiring of a new working group of experts on vaccine hesitancy and assisting with updates to the WHO’s vaccine position papers.

How valuable is this WHO internship for your career following graduation?

This opportunity has been invaluable as it has given me insight and clarification into what I enjoy and where I can see myself working in the future. It has also allowed me to network with experts and other interns from around the globe, giving me the opportunity to create an extensive network of contacts that may assist me upon graduation, and with whom I expect to work in the future.

What’s been the best part of your experience studying in Australia?

The best part of Australia has absolutely been the people that I have met. Local Australians have been friendly and welcoming; my peers have been knowledgeable, experienced, and have taught me infinite amounts about public health in other countries; and my professors have given me extensive research opportunities and really encouraged me to apply my skills rather than just learn them from textbooks. Oh… and the beaches don’t hurt either!

Congratulations, Caroline!

Learn more about the University of Queensland

Find out how to become a student at the University of Queensland Public Health School.

Tags: OzTREKK, Study in Australia, University of Queensland, University of Queensland Public Health School
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