"In Biomed you’re always challenging and pushing yourself to expand your knowledge…there really is no limit to what we should learn. In second year, we get to learn a little bit of other majors which was really helpful in helping me decide what I wanted to major in."
Velda started the Bachelor of Biomedicine in 2017, after completing her Trinity College Foundation Studies in 2016, and high school back home in Singapore.
For Velda, the move to Australia was a challenge she overcame with the help of friends at the University of Melbourne. Personal growth is the theme of her Biomed journey.
"I’ve always wanted to go overseas to study and to be honest, I did not think much about the difficulties that might come with transitioning from being surrounded by my family and familiar friends to a foreign place. During my first year in Melbourne, there were times when I would feel really homesick and during those das, time really slowed down. But thankfully, I had friends around me who were in the same boat and we supported one another; we planned activities to do, studied together and spent most of our time hanging out which really helped."
Of the 15 majors available to Bachelor of Biomedicine students, Velda majors in Pathology.
"In Biomed you’re always challenging and pushing yourself to expand your knowledge…there really is no limit to what we should learn.
"In second year, we get to learn a little bit of other majors which was really helpful in helping me decide what I wanted to major in. I chose Pathology because I’ve always been interested in learning about the mechanisms of disease and this major provides me with a good understanding about them during lectures and practicals. It’s been extremely interesting so far despite the heavy theory content and I think the practical sessions are really enjoyable as you get a glimpse of what you learn about in lectures."
The Melbourne Model allows students to pursue their interests outside of their specialisation and diversify their world view. Through her breadth subjects, Velda has had the opportunity to try a new area and learn more about her other love: music.
"Principles of Business Law (BLAW10001) was the first breadth I took because I wanted to learn something completely unrelated to my course. I took Music Psychology (MUSI20149) and Music and Health (MUSI20150) because I love playing the piano, and I thought that it’d be interesting to know more about the benefits that music can bring beyond its melodies."
Outside of class, Velda is involved in the Singapore Students’ Society and the University of Melbourne’s Ultimate Frisbee Club. She maintains an active lifestyle, enjoying sports like badminton, as well as playing the piano.
After completing her Bachelor of Biomedicine, Velda wants to continue down the path of postgraduate studies.
"Enjoy your time at uni and have a study-life balance!"