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Ava didn’t expect that her participation in Curtin Extra could change her outlook on her degree, but through leadership and learning, she found comfort in uncertainty. Unsure about physiotherapy at first, second-year student Ava found her spark through anatomy, supportive classmates, and Curtin Extra leadership programs, experiences that reshaped her confidence, direction, and future goals in health care.
Could joining Curtin Extra change how you think about uncertainty?
When Ava started her Bachelor of Physiotherapy, she wasn’t sure if she’d chosen the right path. Straight out of high school, her dream had been to study medicine. But when she didn’t get in, she accepted an offer in physiotherapy at Curtin, supported by the John Curtin Scholarship Program.
Now in her second year, Ava says the degree has surprised her. Currently, the jump from first to second year has felt huge, but the content feels more aligned to what she wants to do in the future, which has been a welcomed change for her. Ava felt like her first year didn’t always make sense, but now she can see how what she learnt early on, now applies to the specialised units. This realisation has been a motivator.
Gaining a keen interest in certain subjects and specialisations has helped her find passion in the degree. Specifically, the anatomy and nervous system have become her favourite subjects to study. But this, motivation is fuelled not just by her interest in the subject matters, but also by the people around her.
“Physio is such a supportive degree. You don’t really see that in other courses. Here, you rise by lifting others up. Everyone helps each other, and the staff are amazing too.”
Still, her journey, although with passion, hasn’t been without challenges.
“Finding my rhythm at uni was tough. At school, everything was structured for you, but at uni it’s all on you, when, where, and how you study. That independence was overwhelming at first, especially while trying to make new friends and figure out campus.”
That search for connection also led her to Curtin Extra. She’s completed Skills for Success and the Curtin Leaders Program, experiences she says transformed her both personally and professionally. When she was questioning her future path and if her values really aligned with the degree, she found the leadership programs to be a source of guidance.
“They helped me find out who I am, and not just within physio. I met people from different degrees, different backgrounds, and it opened my perspective. Curtin Leaders was my favourite because it felt like a consistent family. The connections, the lessons, the routine, it really showed me my values and redirected me to what I truly want.”
For Ava, the key takeaways were leadership, communication, and self-care. She came into uni thinking of leadership as having a title or role but now believes that it’s really about action and example. She also is a big believer in context-based communication; realising how you speak and connect with people depends on their circumstances and why you’re talking. Plus, the programs that she has been a part of have really emphasised self-care.
“At uni you can burn out so easily, so learning to prioritise yourself has been so important.”
Looking back, her biggest highlight has been the friendships she’s made.
“Not only did I find friends, but I found myself. Now, when I walk around campus and see those familiar faces, it makes me feel grounded. That’s something I didn’t have when I first came here.”
As for the future, Ava is still drawn to medicine and hopes to pursue it after her physiotherapy degree. But whether she becomes a doctor or a physiotherapist, she knows she wants to make a difference. She’d also love to do an international or rural experience, especially in a developing country. Coming from a developing country herself, being able to give back to communities like her own would be really meaningful path to her. Going to her home to practice one day would be a proud achievement.
Her advice to other students considering Curtin Extra is simple:
“Just do it. If you feel lost, whether in your degree or on campus, it’s such a great way to reorient yourself. You’ll learn so much about yourself, and you’ll meet amazing people along the way.”
Ready to take your uni experience beyond the classroom? Apply for Curtin Extra and get official recognition for the impact you make through co-curricular programs.
👉 Don’t just study, stand out. Apply today!
