High School Preparation: Whites Hill State College
High School: Years 9–12 at Whites Hill State College
Current study: Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Griffith University
Career goal: Medical Science
From the High School Preparation (HSP) Program to a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science at a top Queensland university and employment as a laboratory assistant, Bailey’s incredible study journey in Brisbane has met success at every step.
Now in her third year at Griffith University, Bailey’s work as a lab assistant at Nourishy involves freeze-drying breast milk, while partnering with the Mother Milk Bank Charity to provide pasteurised breast milk to mothers and babies in need.
But in 2019, it was the HSP program at Whites Hill State College that started it all. She enrolled in the program to improve her English skills and give her the best chance of excelling academically at high school.
Bailey passed her English exam early and entered the mainstream curriculum in Year 9, continuing her studies until her successful graduation there in Year 12.
'Practising English, and the interaction with local students, was just as important to me as enjoying the beautiful natural attractions in Queensland,' she said.
'It was fantastic to visit the Great Barrier Reef, the pristine beaches and national parks. It also helped that Queensland has a tropical and subtropical climate similar to Vietnam,' she said.
She chose Queensland for
High School Preparation program (HSP) because of the prestigious universities and educational institutions, offering a variety of academic programs and prospects.
'All the amazing opportunities I have were linked to my high school years where I was welcomed, taken care of and supported by the international staff. They helped me to settle into the new environment and made my time at Whites Hill State High School truly enjoyable; the staff treated my sister and I with kindness, never hesitated to assist mentally, physically or academically,' Bailey said.
After graduation, the staff assisted her with a university scholarship application by writing multiple references and recommendation letters.
'I secured 2 scholarships: International Student Academic Excellence and Sir Samuel Griffith,' Bailey said.
'Thus, I strongly believe that HSP is a lot more than just an English-teaching program for international students going into mainstream.
'HSP is about developing essential academic skills, building connections with staff and students from other schools, and preparing international students with transferable soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and empathy, that will allow them to embrace every opportunity presented.'