UNSW Medicine Questions

UNSW Medicine Questions- 2015

Q) Where did you attend primary school(s)? Where did you attend secondary school(s)? (50 words)

Having commenced my primary education in Muscat, Oman, I completed one year of secondary schooling in Calgary, Canada. Following my family’s relocation to South Australia, I completed the remainder of my secondary education in Marryatville High School, Adelaide.

Q) Which are (or were) your two favourite and your two least favoured subjects in your final year at school or in your most recent university studies? (50 words)

Throughout Year 12, my favourite subjects were Chemistry and Maths Studies, with personal passion for the topics covered playing a major role in influencing my choice. Despite enjoying all my

(200 words)

Prior to moving to Australia, I was engaged in a wide variety of community activities both in Oman as well as in Canada. As a primary school student, I was involved for more than five years raising awareness of the situation disabled children in poorer parts of Oman were forced to face, as well as raising funds within and around my local community for charities associated with making their lives better. I was also associated with the yearly collection of food and clothing within my district, which were donated to needy members of our locale.

Following my family’s emigration to Australia, I resumed my participation within the community. During my gap year, I was given a chance to volunteer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, an exciting opportunity that gave me an insight into the daily life of a public medical centre. Having being involved in numerous tasks, ranging from transporting patients around the hospital to serving food in the oncology and radiation wards, the experience was undoubtedly crucial in allowing me get a first-hand idea of what health professionals face regularly.

Q) Please list any experience of work you have had so far. (150

Whilst not many people are keen about getting sick or injured and paying a visit to their physician, the experience of looking at how my doctor handled his patients, as well as the ease with which he successfully deduced what I needed in order to get better, was something that both fascinated and intrigued me. As I progressed both in school and maturity, my fascination with the profession slowly turned into interest in the subject of medicine, as well as with the emotional investment a doctor makes with each one of his patients. While there were many exercises I undertook to comprehend more about the career during this time, including reading about different pathways to becoming a health professional, talking to specialists in the field, and shadowing my family GP, there was no bigger eye-opener than in my gap year, during my time volunteering with the Royal Adelaide Hospital. During my first few weeks as a guide, the stark contrast between the sombre faces of patients when they first came into the clinic, against their happiness when they were leaving, rushing to get home, left an indelible mark on myself, and as I spent more weeks there, I came to the realisation that this was all due to the tireless work of a team of dedicated health professionals. Moreover, during a conversation with a fellow volunteer and a good friend of mine who had recently undergone chemotherapy, she let me know