Reaching for gold (Issue 20, 2012)
The La Trobe Award recognises volunteering efforts of La Trobe students – Qinhui Loh, from Malaysia, is one of those students. Qinhui is studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, and has gained a lot of personal enjoyment and growth from her volunteering activities.
Qinhui started to lean towards biomedical science due to her interest in the medical field. Throughout the course, she started to realise that research was where she wanted to go in her career and that she no longer what to be a doctor.
Qinhui calls Chisholm College on the Melbourne campus home, so she has been lucky enough to meet a wide variety of other students from all across the world.
‘Fortunately, I managed to meet some friends who are truly helpful. They are the ones that helped me the most to go through the adjustment period so that I did not feel isolated. Besides that, my classmates helped me a lot in my studies, as well when we were asked to work in groups,’ says Qinhui.
The most memorable part of her time at La Trobe so far has been her volunteering activities. She is currently up to a Bronze La Trobe Award, but is striving for gold.
‘My passion for volunteering has broadened my social circles. I like to help other juniors just like someone helped me when I was first came [to university],’ says Qinhui.
So far this year Qinhui has volunteered as a:
- Connect Mentor
- Student Host at International Orientation
- Student volunteer at Pride Week
- Director of Service for the International Student Association (ISA)
‘As a new committee member in ISA, I have learned a lot from my seniors, including how to work as a team to put on a successful event.
‘The events I have participated include; the migration seminar, International Music Night and some other road trips.
‘Besides that, my passion in volunteering has helped me in applying for the La Trobe Award. I'm now on the bronze level and will continue to proceed until I reach the gold level.’
Qinhui believes that her volunteering efforts have shaped her into a more confident and active person.
‘I have started to become bubbly when talking to a person rather than just standing there and being shy.’
As the Australian Government’s 2010 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rankings recognised La Trobe as the leading university in Australia for research in biochemistry and sell biology, Qinhui is confident her degree will lead to a great career.
‘I'm sure my international qualification will create great career opportunities for me. For my future, I plan to study further for honours or a Master’s in research.’
