ACQ Vol 10 No 3 2008

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

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.

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

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

Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim

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

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. 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.

The Association’s Activities 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

Mindil Market in Darwin during Speech Pathology Week 2008

Pamela Allen – 2008 Book of the Year Award Ceremony

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S peech P athology A ustralia