Balancing study and work, life as a Medicine student in Townsville
Rayana from Bangladesh is studying a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with @James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville. Currently in her fourth year, Rayana shares with us why she chose Townsville to undertake her studies and how she has integrated into the community through many volunteering and placement experiences.
I decided to choose to move to Townsville because of the JCU MBBS program. I am living my dream by studying medicine at JCU. Townsville provides a strong foundation for academic success and personal growth, while also offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and fun. Townsville provides more than just quality education; it is a city that offers a genuine Australian experience, surrounded by stunning nature, and diverse cultures. Compared to larger Australian cities like Sydney or Melbourne, Townsville offered a more affordable lifestyle, which was a significant factor for me while choosing a study destination. The city’s laid-back lifestyle also means that there is less of the hustle and bustle typically associated with big cities, making it easier for me to focus on my study, form close relationships, and balance academic commitments with fun activities.
JCU has many student clubs and being part of different student organisations, I felt a sense of community. For example, being a member of Club RHINO (Rural Health in Northern Outback) I visited the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor’s service) Cairns base in 2021. It provided me with the opportunity to explore various rural areas in Northern Queensland. In 2022, I proudly represented JCU in Gulf Kids Day hosted by Gulf Savannah NRM. We visited different primary schools in remote areas to educate the students about healthy eating habits, exercising to stay fit and most importantly the significance of hand hygiene in disease prevention. Last year I coordinated the rural high school visit in Atherton, tablelands region. These opportunities enabled me to hone my interpersonal and leadership skills. I love working with children and being part of the Teddy Bear Hospital program has been a highlight of my medicine course so far, which promotes health literacy to kindergarten students. I created unforgettable memories in Townsville University hospital and Mater Hospital during extensive placement this year with ample hands-on clinical experience. NQRTH (Townsville branch of North Queensland Regional training hub), awarded me with scholarships to attend different conferences such as the Rural Health Summit in Mackay 2022. I have always had a profound passion and fascination for medical research. NQRTH funded the summer research bursary in Dec 2023. With my research supervisor A/Prof Naga, I worked on testing the efficacy of novel anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatoid arthritis in mice models. The drugs were derived from jellyfish and hookworm proteins.
As a future health professional, I want to contribute to working toward bridging the health inequity in rural areas in northern outback regions of Australia. Living the last 4 years in Townsville has been the best time of living in Australia.
While living in Townsville, I worked casually as an optical assistant in Specsavers, retail assitant in Myer, Anatomy demonstrator, Tutor and homegroup facilitator for JCU MBBS students. These work opportunities have definitely improved my spoken English as well as assisted in integrating myself in Australian culture. Working in hospitality and retail taught me patience and endurance. I learnt about Australian working culture. Balancing paid employment alongside academic life taught me time management. At times, I got reality checks and had to wonder what takes priority – study or work and focus on why I came to Australia.
My advice for future students is not to restrict yourself with any boundaries. Do not hesitate to reach out. Go explore new things. Townsville has so much to offer. Maybe you will discover something new about yourself in the process. As an international student in Townsville, you will not only gain a world-class education, but you will also have the chance to create unforgettable experiences, make lifelong friendships, and immerse yourself in the heart of Queensland’s vibrant culture.
December 2024
Photo Credit: Rayana Oeyshi
