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What sorts of things are UC students doing to actively change health outcomes?
For several years now, BHSci students have organised the All Right? Amble in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. This event sits within the All Right? initiative which is funded by the Ministry of Health and supported by the Canterbury District Health Board and the Mental Health Foundation. The aim is to support people to become aware of simple ways to improve and enhance mental wellbeing.
At the All Right? Amble there are five activity stations in the gardens, each dedicated to one of the five ways to well-being – take notice, be active, connect, keep learning, and give. UC Health Education lecturer Tracy Clelland said the focus of the event is to encourage people to “stop and take time out, have a walk around the gardens, and reflect on how the five ways to wellbeing can be incorporated into everyday life”.
Attendee numbers have grown every year and over 800 people attended the 2017 All Right? Amble (the 2018 event is on Sunday 7 October). The feedback from the public highlighted how our students had engaged with the public and developed their awareness of simple strategies that promote mental wellbeing. Our Health Science students were thrilled with the success of the event and the opportunity to actively promote healthy living and connect with the public.
Gaining skills to give back to the community
BHSc graduate, and current Master of Health Sciences student, Suli Tuitaupe is passionate about helping Pasifika people improve their health. Suli is well known in Christchurch for his work in the fitness industry and he puts his enthusiasm and expertise to good use by running workshops to help people and families make better decisions around their health and wellbeing. He aims to provide the opportunity for people to change their lives and gain empowerment. To read more about Suli’s journey, click here.
You can do an internship with a health organisation!
Many BHSc students choose to do an internship. It is a big drawcard of the programme. The internship is a fantastic opportunity to get practical work experience and contribute to major health organisations. Students get the opportunity to complete a meaningful project that is of value to the health sector. One student this year wrote a report that is now available on the Ministry of Health web site. This year students have done these at the Canterbury District Health Board, Cancer Society, 298 Youth Health Centre, Attitude, SIAPO and Pegasus Health, to name just a few. Internships can even result in employment! Click here to read about BHSc graduate Eve Li, who turned her internship with Pegasus Health into employment once she graduated.
Students can apply for entrance into the BHSc for a February or July start each year. Each year we see a vibrant cohort of students from a variety of backgrounds and ages enter into the programme. If you have the passion to make a difference, we have the qualifications to take you where you want to go. Join our inspiring health graduates in helping to make positive and meaningful change in people’s lives.
Want to know more? Click here or read what our students and graduates have to say:
About the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree
The Bachelor of Health Sciences is a three-year degree leading to careers in health and public policy, public health, health management, health research and other non-clinical roles. Graduates will play an important role in improving public health through disease prevention, health promotion, and health service planning, delivery, and evaluation.
The six majors were designed to fill identified gaps in skills in New Zealand’s health sector. Combinations can be taken as a double major. Students may take up an internship as part of their degree.
