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Chris credits ‘life-changing’ USC program
When London real estate agent Chris Raes arrived in Australia for a backpacking holiday last year, business was the last thing on his mind.
“Now I’m an international student at the University of the Sunshine Coast, about to pay my way through a Bachelor of Business,” said the excited 21-year-old, after enrolling at USC this semester.
Chris, who left high school early in the United Kingdom, credits a popular USC bridging program for creating “my foundation for a whole new life in Australia”.
The University runs the Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) program to provide potential students with an alternative entry into university.
It involves four courses over a semester and has grown from 65 students in 2006 to more than 250 this Semester 2, 2009.
Instructor Trish Whannell said TPP provided extra qualifications for students, who have ranged in age from 17 to 54, so they can gain admission to a degree.
Chris, who finished the program last semester, describes it as life-changing.
“The thought of further education was daunting but TPP gave me all the integral skills such as critical reading, writing reports, doing research and getting in the right mindset to succeed,” he said.
“I went to lectures, tutorials and workshops and was really inspired. I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Chris said he intended to get his USC degree in business management while continuing work in the property industry in Caloundra.
“I felt so satisfied getting a High Distinction in an essay during TPP that I’m going to focus on this degree wholeheartedly. My goal is to be an Honours student and get a management position at work.”
Mrs Whannell said Chris’s enthusiasm and motivation were representative of feedback from other mature-age students in the program.
“We’re incredibly pleased with how it’s going because a large percentage of the students are going straight into USC undergraduate degrees in all three faculties,” she said.
To learn more about TPP and other USC programs, visit the University’s Open Day this Sunday 16 August from 10am to 3pm at the Sippy Downs campus.
– Julie Gatehouse