Now, what about the people in Tasmania? This is another concern for people moving to a foreign place. Honestly, they are perhaps the nicest and most supportive group of people I’ve ever encountered. Meeting new people can be intimidating, especially for an introvert like me. Joining a class midway through the course doesn’t make it any easier; walking into a room full of strangers who already know each other can be daunting. Initially, I hesitated to approach my peers, but I’m glad I eventually got to know them. No matter how intimidating they may seem at first, you never truly know them until you make an effort to get acquainted with them.

Now, let’s return to the life of a student at UTAS. It’s certainly different compared to life at IMU, from the number of class hours to the teaching and learning methods. At IMU, classes typically run from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. So, you can imagine my surprise when I found out that I only needed to attend classes for approximately 9 hours a week at UTAS. However, this reduced class time leads to a difference in how lectures are delivered. In IMU, most of the necessary knowledge is provided in class by dedicated lecturers. In contrast, UTAS employs a self-directed learning approach. Lecture notes are posted online, and you’re expected to review them at your own pace – only attending workshops and practicals. This also means that extra readings are often required to better understand the material.

Before you assume that the reduced class hours compromise the quality, it’s worth noting that UTAS provides ample exposure through placements (approximately 9 weeks of placements in 2 years), hospital clinical rounds every 2 weeks, and numerous case studies throughout the course. This approach also allows you to practice and enhance your skills through activities like part-time or volunteer work at a community pharmacy. Personally, I find this approach beneficial for applying knowledge in the real world as a pharmacist.