Holly Pickery, AUT, Paramedicine
“What an amazing experience this year has been and thank you for the opportunity. My highlight of my paramedic studies has been the hands on learning, which I’ve had the opportunity to apply it in my practical placements and work alongside experienced professionals where I can apply the skills I’ve learned in real-life emergency situations.
“What I’ve enjoyed most about my course is the depth of medical knowledge it covers, as well as the focus on patient care. I have loved every moment of my course from being on the ambulance for the first time and sitting in class with the friends I have made along the way. One of the most surprising things I’ve learned is how crucial communication and teamwork are in emergency settings.
“This course has reinforced my desire to work in emergency medical services, particularly in pre hospital settings. The scholarship has been incredibly helpful in supporting my studies, allowing me to focus on my training without financial stress and it has motivated me to work even harder to succeed in my chosen career. I have learned so much this year and made so many friends along the way and I can’t wait for the years to come.”
Cam Dickey, University of Otago, First Year Health Science
“My highlight has been making new friends and having new experiences. Moving from my small town of Greymouth to the busy city of Dunedin has been a significant change, especially with the size of my classes and the number of people around me. Despite the initial challenges, I’ve embraced the opportunity to grow and adapt, and I’ve found the transition incredibly rewarding.
“My course has further solidified my passion for pursuing a career in medicine. The content has deepened my fascination with the human body and its complexity. Learning about how interconnected systems work together has been fascinating. It has reinforced my desire to work in a field where I can make a difference in people’s lives, helping them overcome challenges to achieve better health.
“The Mobile Health Group | Hauora Taiwhenua Scholarship has eased the financial pressures of studying in Dunedin by contributing to my hall payment, allowing me to fully focus on my studies and make the most of this opportunity.”
(Pictured: Mark Eager, chief executive, Mobile Health Group with Cameron Dickey)
Leah Johnson, University of Otago, Bachelor of Science (Nutrition)
“My first year of my Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Nutrition has truly inspired me to continue striving towards being a registered dietitian. I was particularly inspired when we assessed our own diets and how we can improve them. Furthermore, the health science papers I took sparked my interest in public health as another area I would love to pursue work in.”
“This year has been everything I hoped for and so much more. I am so grateful, that with the help of Hauora Taiwhenua, I took a step away from small town Ashburton and ventured out to Dunedin. It gave me so many unforgettable experiences and taught me things in a way I had never imagined. I cannot wait to continue my journey next year and in the future, apply my learning to rural communities.
“Overall, this scholarship was a tremendous help towards my studies this year, it reduced the financial burden when it came to purchasing textbooks, paying hall fees, and general living costs, enabling me to primarily focus on my studies. I cannot thank Hauora Taiwhenua enough for this scholarship.”
Alisia Stoian, University of Auckland, Biomedical Science
“‘Pre-med will be the most challenging thing you have ever gone through to date. An entire year designed to push you to your limits; to break you and build you back up stronger, smarter, and with the fortitude to withstand anything that life may throw at you.’ This was the message conveyed to me by past pre-meds, a warning, yet also a promise of greatness; of fueling, and finding my passions in life. I thought about this message as I walked into the sprawling auditorium where my first class of the University of Auckland Biomedical Science degree was being held, fully unprepared for the fact that in one hour we were about to cover the equivalent of a week’s worth of content in high school. Just like that, the pace for the entire year was set. I marched on, completing my semester one tests and exams, UCAT, medical school interviews, and finally, my second semester exams. The past students were undoubtedly right, the journey was difficult, however the content was also extremely fascinating, and rewarding.
“I want to thank Mobile Health Group | Hauora Taiwhenua for enabling me to start my journey into the wonderful world of medicine, which I undertake with a burning passion to understand the human body, in order to apply my knowledge to help those in need.”