Anne Khoo

Before arriving at the University of Otago in February, Physiotherapy student Anne Khoo had seen photos of New Zealand’s South Island. But when she saw the scenery in “real life,” she says she “couldn’t believe that it’s not a photo, it’s so awesome!”

Even though Anne is far from her home in Malaysia, she says she “doesn’t feel the distance”. She keeps in regular contact with her family, and counteracts her cravings for Malaysian food by cooking with a group of Malaysian friends each week.  Anne also utilises the Otago Malaysian Students’ Association (OMSA): “We do activities together... barbecues, ‘Malaysian nights’, and performances, it’s so fun!”

As well as her contacts from OMSA, Anne has made many friends within her Physiotherapy class: “It’s a small class, and we’ve bonded well.” Anne enjoys the theoretical aspects of the lectures, but particularly thrives in practical situations, “I appreciate the course more when I can apply what I’ve learnt to real patients.”

Anne’s multilingual abilities prove advantageous when dealing with foreign patients, and have also secured her a part-time job, tutoring Mandarin. In addition to her job, Anne makes an effort to engage in recreational activities to balance her academic life. Currently, she is enrolled in yoga and meditation classes, commenting that “the meditation techniques are very helpful during stressful times.”

Anne acknowledges that studying Physiotherapy is “a lot of work”. However, she adds, “there is a lot of help available, from my lecturers, my tutors, and my peers.” And now that Anne has found her passion through Physiotherapy, she cannot imagine studying anything else.

“When I see my patients get better,” she says, “that makes me so happy, I just can’t describe the feeling.”