28 July 2023
Settling into a nursing degree was never something Alex Alava, 20, from the Philippines had planned for herself.
Initially aspiring to be a surgeon, a dream suggested by her father, a reconstructive plastic surgeon back home, the now second year Bachelor of Nursing student said it was the University of South Australia’s placement opportunities, which helped shape her future goals.
“Once I started my nursing classes, I was actually so much more interested in the work of nurses and that’s how I realised how nurses are actually the heart of the hospital,” she says.
“Second year is definitely very challenging, but it is also so much fun because of all the different workshops, the activities and different research we do as well as our placements.”
Practical experience from first year
Alex, who completed her second, four-week placement at Ashford Hospital, a not-for-profit practice in Adelaide’s inner southwest in June this year, said the opportunity was eye opening.
“The nurses there were very nice; they taught me a lot of things and I was able to expand my skills,” she says.
“It’s really important as a nursing student to have great time management.
“Sometimes we are allocated a lot of patients and there’s a lot to go through and it’s vital to have good time management skills so you don’t miss anything because if you do there might be consequences not just to you, but for the patients.”
Alex credited her ability to acquire new skills, including successful time management as a healthcare worker, to her university studies.
“I was only able to do that because UniSA taught me the foundations and theories,” she says.
At UniSA, which is ranked top 5 in Australia for learning resources in nursing and midwifery1, nursing students embark on 1,000 hours of nursing placements over their three years.
Adelaide 'the 20-minute city'
Alex, who moved more than 5,000 kilometres from her hometown in Quezon City to Adelaide last February, says the transition hasn’t been without its challenges.
“Where I came from, the city is very busy, there’s a lot of traffic jams, so moving here was a big change but it was a good change. While Adelaide might be smaller than other cities, it’s actually really refreshing,” she says.
“It’s very convenient to go wherever you need to go. It’s called the 20-minute city for a reason.”
Alex said the tranquil nature of South Australia’s capital has also been a bonus to her study.
“It's calming when you need to study or, when you study too much on the other hand, you get to relax and refresh in this quiet city,” she says.
Cultivating lifelong connections
Alex said the University has also helped her form lifelong connections through its diverse mix of clubs and societies.
“When I discovered the opportunities the University has to offer like jobs on campus and activities, I decided to go out more and through doing so, I was able to meet new people, who I now call my friends,” she says.
Some of the groups Alex has been involved in include badminton sessions at the University’s Pridham Hall and events hosted by all-inclusive social club, ChatBox.
However, it is the University’s Multicultural Festival, held annually at City East and Mawson Lakes campuses, which have been a highlight for the budding nursing student.
“I got to meet lots of people and explore different cultures. There were various food booths and different performances from countries including Africa and India, so it was really good,” Alex says.
Exploring creativity
Aside from engaging in academic and social life, Alex said the University has also provided her a platform to express her creative side through Verse Magazine.
“I wanted to contribute to Verse because I wanted to do art. I often draw on my iPad and I saw Verse was accepting submissions so I thought this would be a great way to showcase my art and to show people the talent that I have and the story behind it,” she says.
Study: a 'lifelong journey'
Despite being uncertain of her next steps after completing her bachelor’s degree, Alex said she is sure of her love for learning.
“I believe that being in healthcare studying is a lifelong journey and if you study more you’ll learn more,” she says.
While Alex is aware each international student’s experience is different, she hopes through sharing her story, it will help others.
“It may be really difficult or scary to move to a different country, but I’d like to promise students that as long as they put themselves out there and chase these opportunities, you’ll be able to settle right in,” she says.
“Remember, us ambassadors are here to help you and we’ll always make you feel welcome and so will the UniSA environment.”
Alex is a University of South Australia student ambassador from the Philippines. She is part of a group of students who are available to chat with future students about what it’s like studying at the University and living in Adelaide. Other than English, Alex is also fluent in Filipino.
To reach out to Alex click here.
To speak to a student ambassador who speaks your own language or is studying your preferred degree click here.
1. Ranked #4, ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2020-21 (Undergraduate). Public universities
