Yr11 Tertiary Experience

It was a packed itinerary…three days, three universities, one expo and plenty of trains and trams in between.

The group left Hamilton early on the first day to ensure they met their first scheduled stop – Deakin University, Waurn Ponds at 10.15am. University students met the group and immediately the workshops began, engineering and nursing. 

The winner of the engineering challenge, as judged by Jess and Hosna (pictured), was an unlikely structure, created by 4 girls with no engineering experience.

It allowed the group time to speak with the uni students, take part in set tasks and gain an insight into uni life.

After lunch, we were treated to a Nursing workshop were participants eagerly tended to their fellows ailments and did rounds of monitoring vital statistics.

 The group enjoyed a tour of the campus before taking the bus to Melbourne. On arrival in Melbourne, the Year 11 students headed straight to the central accommodation, check-in to our accommodation went smoothly and before long, students were heading out for the first evening meal of the trip. The fire display along the Yarra was an impressive end to the first day.

Two universities were visited on the second day, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Melbourne.  

Both provided the students with details on courses provided, entry requirements, details about accommodation options and life in the city. 

On the third and final day, public transport had to be once again negotiated with luggage, thankfully unlike the previous day there were no cancelled train services! 

Upon reaching the Victoria Careers Show, it was clear that the group had arrived early and this was a definite advantage as the group had time to get a hold on the layout of the different exhibitors.  Exhibitors included Universities, TAFE colleges and other training providers along with organisations concerned with trades and apprenticeships. 

 Just after lunch, the group boarded the bus heading for home.  

In the days following the excursion, feedback was sought from students regarding the different aspects of the trip.  

The students all agreed that the uni visits were worthwhile, the Careers Expo was the highlight, the accommodation and breakfast was good value and some suggested the trip needed to be longer and more universities needed to be visited.