Taya
Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Health Education and minoring in Psychology
Hometown: Taranaki
How did you come to study Health?
I grew up in a small town called Eltham in Taranaki. I started dairy farming at 15 and since then, farming has always been a big part of my life. After high school, I originally studied a Diploma of Agriculture, but soon after I had finished, I realised I wanted more.
I love working with people and learning about determinants of health – what makes people healthy, how we can prevent people from becoming unhealthy. I thought, “Well, I've got such a bubbly personality and love to yarn with people, why not combine both of my passions and work with people in rural health?”.
What would you like to do after completing your degree?
My overall goal is anything in the rural health industries that lets me help those communities. I would absolutely love to do my master's in Counselling and work in rural health and counselling, or I could also be a rural health nurse.
What’s it like studying Health at UC?
UC has a great health network you can tap into. There are plenty of guest lecturers that come talk about all the different healthcare jobs and organisations, and they’re very inspirational. It’s also easy to network in Christchurch because everyone is so lovely and willing to chat.
The best thing about UC’s Health community is it's so diverse and inclusive. You can be anyone and learn about health. There are no labels, no boundaries. We're all just people in a room learning about how to help other people.
What are your favourite parts of your degree?
The highlights are the labs and lectures. I find the learning style great because you're experiencing, not just learning. I went into one class thinking it would be a normal lecture, but they made us do 20 minutes of meditation. Every day is different in Health.
There’s also lots of group work, which is great for making friends, and the lecturers are also amazing. I've always found them approachable and easy to talk to about anything.
Are you involved in any clubs at UC?
I’m a part of HealthSoc, which lets Health students and anyone else that’s interested in health connect and get together through events like group study sessions, meet and greets, and more. It helps us become even more of a community, rather than just people who all study the same thing. I’m also a part of the Equity and Wellbeing advisory group for the UCSA.
What has your UC student experience been like overall?
I love the feeling that everyone's on the same page and you're surrounded by people trying to do their best with their studies. I find that every time you meet another student, you just hit it off instantly. And the next week you'll see them around campus, and you say hi and have a catch up. It’s a nice little community, and it’s so easy to make friends here.
Do you have any favourite campus events?
I’ve gone to quite a few events around campus to make friends. Between the clubs and the UCSA, there’s always something going on, and lots of free food. Run72 from Lads Without Labels is a great chance to meet people. It’s an event for men's mental health awareness where someone is always running for 72 hours straight. The atmosphere is amazing, I highly recommend it.
What do you like about being a student in Christchurch?
Living in Christchurch is great. I enjoy the balance between nature and the city. You’ve got the best of both worlds because you can be in town having a coffee or going to class, and then it's just a quick drive to be out in an open space. You're never too far from a park or a green space.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I enjoy going to brunch with friends and spending time with my family. I also like going for runs and being active outdoors, especially riding horses with my friend. I love living so close to the horses; it’s such a quick drive to go out and have a ride after a busy day at lectures.
During my holidays, I love working on farms. It really grounds me. I love farming, outdoors, and anything with animals. It helps remind me of what I’m working towards with my degree.
Any words of advice for other students considering UC?
Don't hesitate or overthink. The UC community is lovely and inclusive, and everyone’s here to support you in stepping out of your comfort zone. There’s something for everyone!
