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S
peech
P
athology
A
ustralia
F
rom
a
S
tudent
’
s
P
erspective
Experience of an international student
Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim
I
t is a big step to decide on furthering one’s education at the
PhD level, let alone doing it in a foreign country. The length
of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidature varies between
three and four years, which makes the PhD process a long
and arduous one. In addition, being away in a different
country for an extended period of time means
missing out on spending time with family and
friends and putting your life back at home on hold.
However, to an international student, the prospect
of travelling to a new country and starting a whole
new lifestyle is very exciting.
The opportunity to embark on a PhD presented
itself as part of the tutoring program at the
National University of Malaysia where I was
appointed. That is, I had the opportunity to apply for
financial assistance through the university’s
competitive scholarship process to travel overseas
and complete a PhD project. During this period, I
also worked with many patients as part of my clinical service.
My interest in children born with cleft of the lip and/or palate
grew as I was left frustrated with the amount of support I
could give to my patients. I aimed to make a real difference,
and therefore embarked on my PhD project to develop an
assessment protocol for Malay-speaking children with cleft of
the lip and/or palate. That is how on 2 April 2005, I arrived to
a cold autumn Melbourne from a hot and humid Kuala
Lumpur. I was feeling both excited and scared at the same time.
I was fortunate that Professor Sheena Reilly and Associate
Professor Nicky Kilpatrick decided to supervise my PhD
research. The research experience has been very rewarding. I
share an office space with four other PhD students at the
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute as a member of the
Childhood Communication Research Unit (CCRU) team led
by my main supervisor, Professor Sheena Reilly. The unit is
based in the Speech Pathology Department at the Royal
Children’s Hospital. The CCRU is involved in many research
projects and the speech pathology clinical team has a number
of experienced and dedicated staff providing tertiary care for
patients. This unique combination has given me
the chance to benefit from both research and
clinical expertise.
This is my third year in Melbourne. I have
gained invaluable insight into the Australian way
of life and its culture. I love the multicultural
symbol that Melbourne is known for and have
made many friends from many different
nationalities. I have also grown accustomed to the
unpredictable weather Melbourne is so famous for
but I must say, I don’t like it one bit.
It can be difficult and emotionally draining being
away from family and friends while taking up a
big task such as a PhD. Yet, it is possible. It is the support of
friends and my supervisors’ trust that has seen me through
the ups and downs while I have been studying in Australia.
At the end of the day, when I picture myself working with a
child with cleft of the lip and/or palate and contributing to
their care by carrying out systematic research, I find that the
hours and hard work I have put into my PhD project have
paid off.
Hasherah Mohd
Ibrahim
Ms Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim
graduated with a Bachelor
of Speech Science (HONS) from the National University
of Malaysia (UKM) in 2002. Hasherah is a PhD student at
the University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s
Research Institute.
Mindil Market in Darwin during
Speech Pathology Week 2008
Launch of the Association’s Journal – 2008 National
Conference
Welcome Reception at the 2008 National Conference – Traditional
Maori ‘powhire’ dancing and singing
Launch of the Association’s new Corporate
Identity at the 2008 National Conference
Pamela Allen – 2008 Book of the Year Award
Ceremony
The Association’s Activities 2008