Hanna Sharma

Hannah Sharma completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy in 2006

Electing Physiotherapy as a career in my home country of India was a difficult decision, as the profession of Physiotherapy in India is still in its infancy with respect to independent practice.  After completing my undergraduate studies in 2004, I felt that I wanted to further my studies, so I looked at courses in Australia where the standard of physiotherapy, the research and the therapeutic approach has its reputation world wide.  The University of Melbourne is known for its very high ranking, not only in the Asia-Pacific region but also around the globe.  When I heard about the emphasis on the development of clinical reasoning, and on skills in manual handling, mobilisation / manipulation offered at the School of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, I was fascinated and really excited about studying here.

The School of Physiotherapy has assisted me to gain valuable knowledge and to develop a richness of thought within my therapeutic approach.  Evidence based practice, research methods, ethics, health promotion, assessment and evaluation, and documentation are just a few areas to mention.  The education at the School of Physiotherapy utilises practical, real-life situations and problem-based learning which prepares the student before he/she enters the professional world.  The staff are highly qualified and the lectures are at the best of academic standards.  It is a pleasure to have been enlightened by them all.  In addition, time spent working under the guidance of trained physiotherapy supervisors at the clinical facilities/ hospitals connected to the University helped develop my clinical practice. 

In May 2006, I was surprised and delighted to receive a ‘Melbourne Australian International Scholarship’ (refer photograph above with Minister for Education, Lynne Kosky MP).  This scholarship was awarded by the Victorian Government to promote Melbourne as a study destination for international students with a sound academic background pursuing a course in the skills shortage area.  In order to access the scholarship, I had to obtain a credit average in the first semester of the course, which was not easy but was worth all the effort.

To practice physiotherapy in Australia, overseas qualified physiotherapists must pass both the Theoretical and Clinical examinations of the Australian Education Council for Overseas Qualified Physiotherapists (AECOP).  In September 2006 I was successful in the Theoretical Examination and I strongly believe that the Postgraduate Diploma course played a vital role in my success.  I look forward to the Clinical AECOP Exam, and am sure that the approach distilled within me at the School of Physiotherapy will be crucial to my success here also. 

Living in Melbourne has been a great experience altogether.  It is a jubilant and bubbling city of varied nuances that has something to offer for everyone.  Melbourne has added a lot to my personal, professional and psychological life, and I believe it was a wise decision on our part to come to Melbourne.  My studies, the leisure time we have enjoyed and the overall experience - everything has added a little bit more to the person that I am.  It has been an investment for the future…