You’re also involved as a mentor and tutor.
I’m a PALS mentor, which stands for Peer Assisted Learning Sessions. It’s run by students, and it’s a place for first year students in popular papers who might be struggling or want a place to study or get extra help. From there I got into tutoring for the CUP course, tutoring the transition students in Psychology. It’s nice to pass on what I’ve learned and share my knowledge.
You did a summer internship with Oranga Tamariki in Wellington. What was that like?
I worked on a project that used spatial analysis to look at how far children move when they are placed into care. It was super interesting, and really showed me how I can use my Psychology and Geography skills together. I loved it.
How did you find that opportunity?
UC sent out an email about a seminar on the programme, and I decided to apply without thinking I'd get it. They had 500 applicants and only took about 30 interns. During the application process, a lecturer for the CUP course I tutor for helped me a lot – she's a superstar. She helped me with my CV, was my reference, and gave me lots of advice about being confident in myself.
Any words of advice for new students thinking about starting uni?
There’s a good whakataukī that I love: tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū. The English translation is “feel the fear and do it anyway”. That's something I really live by in my uni years. Just try everything, especially in your first year. Give anything you’re slightly interested in a go because there’s the flexibility to do that.