Choosing the right path (Issue 11, 2012)
Mai Nguyen is La Trobe International’s latest blogger. Originally from Vietnam, she has lived and studied in Australia since she was 16. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science after transferring from a Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Dietetic Practice.
La Trobe University’s Faculty of Health Science is the leader in health science education in Victoria, and Mai has a strong passion for chemistry and medicine, these factors helped when Mai was considering changing course.
‘I still remember it was hard for me to make the decision about whether I should change into Biomedical Science or stay in Dietetic. Eventually, I did make it and was accepted into second year of Biomedical Science. I am so grateful to my anatomy and physiology tutors, as they inspired me and helped me identify my passion,’ says Mai.
Mai believes that choosing Melbourne to study and live was one of the best and most important decisions of her life.
‘Being an overseas student in Australia, I have not only gained knowledge from my high school and university, but I have also grown with experience. Four years studying and living in Australia has shaped, nourished and developed me to become who I am today and who I will be in the future.’
Mai is an extremely active member of the La Trobe community. She volunteers at a lot of events and partakes in many social activities. Some of the activities Mai has participated in include:
- Mid-year Open Day – as a student representative
- La Trobe Award program – she is currently on her Silver award but is determined to reach the Gold
- ASEAN Games – where she won a silver medal for table tennis
- Table Tennis and Badminton clubs at La Trobe
- Darebin City Council events – including the Festival of Light and Friendship, Carols in all Nations and the Peer Leadership program
- International Welcome Desk in Melbourne Airport
- Connect Mentor Program
- International Welcome Festival
- ASEAN Australian Youth Summit 2012 – as a Director Operation Assistant and Co-Director of Table Tennis
‘For me, playing sports not only keeps me healthy but also helps me balance my life along with studying and working.
‘At La Trobe, I am always encouraged to not only study hard and achieve the best result, but also get involved in other activities, such as social clubs, sports, and volunteering. I think that I am so lucky to know friends, staff, lecturers and teachers at La Trobe – who always help and support me whenever I need. And for me as an overseas student who lives away from family, nothing is better than that,’ says Mai.
Mai was also lucky enough to do a placement through one of her classes in her first year at La Trobe. The placement was at the Alfred Hospital, which is one of the best hospitals in Melbourne.
‘I was surprised and so excited that I could do my placement in my very first year at uni. I learnt a lot from my experience at the hospital, as I had chance to observe a clinical environment and how health professionals work with patients.’
‘Having been provided such a highly qualified and competitive course at La Trobe, I am now very clear and confident on what I am going to do to achieve my goal, which is to get into a higher degree in medicine after I graduate my Bachelor degree and eventually, in the future, become a doctor.’
