I’m a 3rd year paramedic student from TAMK. I study nursing as well so this is a double degree.
I decided even before starting my studies here that I’ll apply for this exchange program and now I’m here in my Sydney flat writing this post. Feels surreal.
I’m on this exchange program with my friend/classmate. We arrived here in the beginning of February to travel before our exchange starts. First we went to Melbourne, it is a lovely city with an amazing architecture and coffee. Then we drove the Great Ocean Road and camped there. It was an unforgettable experience and we got to see the most amazing scenery ever. After that we flew to Birsbane and visited Australia zoo in Sunshine Coast. We travelled by a bus to Surfers Paradise for one night and continued our journey down to Byron Bay. We stayed there for almost a week and took it as vacation before the school started. From Byron we caught yet another bus to Sydney but it was an overnight one and it took 12hrs.
Our exchange consists of four weeks in university and five weeks on the road on a placement. Our exchange started in uni and we met some of the most amazing people there. We made so many life long friends and got more used to speaking in English. Our exchange university organised some amazing opportunities for us; we got to attend cadaver anatomy lab and Sydney HEMS training day where they went through their recent “big jobs”.
After uni we started our placement in Sydney CBD. This placement has been unlike anything else. It has been challenging, rewarding, hard, unfergettable, fun, exciting and so on. I’m so glad for this experience and what it has taught me. I have been able to communicate and articulate my thoughts in a foreign language and have improved my English tremendously. I’ve seen some amazing clinicians and professionals, I truly believe that I’ve got to learn from the best. This experience has truly deepened my spark for this profession.
We do our shifts in blocks, our blocks consist of 4 shifts; 6:45-19, 7:15-19:30, 10:45-23, 18:45-7.
Then we have 5 days off (including the day we get off of night shift). Paramedics usually work the whole roster with one person. It truly gives you a chance to get to know your partner and have more meaningful conversations about jobs.
We can’t forget about our free time too!
We’ve spent a lot of time on Sydney’s beaches, we’ve shopped, partied, worked out, tanned, eaten, we’ve seen the city, had late night walks to Opera house, done runs over Harbour Bridge, caught ferries and done coastal walks. And one of the most important thigs, we’ve made new friends from uni. We’ve got to see so many things through non touristy eyes from our uni friends, I can’t thank them enough.
I’m at a loss of words, this as been the most unique experience ever!!
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