Name: Xiu Yi
Year of Graduation from TJC: 2021
Current Uni: University of New South Wales, Sydney
Current Major: Medicine
Current year in Uni: 1st year
CCAs or similar: Singapore Medical Society of Australia and New Zealand (SMSANZ), UNIBUDS (Buddhist Society), Medshow: Costumes, UNSW Wandering Society (Hiking)
Accomodation: On-Campus Accommodation @ Goldstein College
Scholarship (if any): UNSW Alumni Association Singapore Chapter Scholarship
Telegram: @icxiuyi
Background
Give a brief background about yourself and what you did in TJC!
Hello! I was in IP in TJC, joined in 2016. During JC, I was in CG 18/20 and took 4H2, BCME. In IP, I was in volleyball and then I joined SC in JC.
CG 18/20
Students’ Council
Volleyball
Why did you choose to study overseas? Why did you choose University of New South Wales?
Medicine was my top degree of choice at that time but I was unable to get into the local medical schools. Hence, I decided to look at overseas medical schools. I completed the BMAT in JC2 (2021) but was not so keen on applying to UK medical schools at that time. By the time that I was, the applications had already closed for those schools. Australia was a popular option amongst overseas medical schools as they offered undergraduate programs and some of the schools were recognised by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). Meaning, you could choose to practise back in Singapore after graduating. I applied only to UNSW as they were on a rolling applications basis and were still accepting applications while admissions for the other SMC recognised medical schools (e.g. Monash, UWA, Adelaide) had already closed. I would advise that if you really think that Medicine is the right path for you, consider your options early and don’t just be set on applying to the local schools.
Applications
What was the application process like?
I can only speak for the application process to UNSW medicine. Other Australian medical schools may differ in their application process slightly so do your research beforehand! This may seem very confusing and nerve wrecking at first, trust me I’ve been in your position but don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
I contacted an agent called JACK Study Abroad (just google them and submit an application form through their website, it’s really simple). There are many overseas agents for you to pick, offering similar services for free, so do your research on which one suits you best (i.e. pick the one offering services specific to the university and degree you are interested in). This was the information I received from my agent: As of 2023, 4 Australian medical schools under the undergraduate pathway are SMC recognised Direct undergraduate programmes: 1) Monash University (5 years) - ISAT test needed 2) UNSW (6 year) - ISAT test needed 3) University of Adelaide (6 year) - ISAT test needed Direct package offer (3 years bachelor of medical science + 3 year MD) 4) University of Western Australia (3+3 years) - ISAT needed Note: There may be application fees involved to apply to each of the universities. Do check with your agent regarding this. It is also possible to take the UCAT ANZ test but most opt for the ISAT.
Sitting for the ISAT: My agent provided me with detailed instructions on how to register for it, it’s pretty simple and straightforward. I sat for the August cycle in 2022 (Test window 3) but from my knowledge, you would have to take the ISAT by the 2nd test window to be eligible to apply for the other Australian universities as stated above. For reference, this was obtained from the ISAT website: Test window 1: 23 January–3 February 2023 Test window 2: 1–10 May 2023 (11–12 May for re-sits) Test window 3: 31 July–9 August 2023 (10–11 August for re-sits) Test window 4: 30 October–8 November 2023 (9–10 November for re-sits) To practise for the test, the best way to learn is through papers. The exam committee for ISAT does not provide past year papers so these have to be bought or sourced from seniors. I bought mine through Carousell and the papers were sent via email.
Online interview Some general tips for the interview. Just be your natural self. I think the interviewers just want to see that you are a good person and are able to fit into the programme. Always justify your answers with sound reasoning and try to link back to medicine and the values which shape and stand at the core of being a doctor. Make sure that your responses are personal to you and don’t be generic. Your experiences should reflect your learning and not someone else's. Also, look up the pillars of ethics surrounding medicine (e.g. deontology, non-maleficence, autonomy, etc.) I found them useful in linking my experiences and what I learnt to medicine overall. As a final tip, practice vocalising your thoughts and ideas to your family, friends or seniors. They are the best resource for you to tap on to know how to improve.
Accepting your offer: My offer for UNSW came in around mid-September 2022. According to my agent, if all entry requirements are met, the offer usually comes in within 1 month (mine took 2 weeks). No reply would likely be a wait list and a rejection would most likely be informed of immediately. In order to accept your offer, there are a couple of steps involved:
A deposit fee has to be made first
Once that has been confirmed, the university would release a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) which would allow you to start your visa application.
Purchase a Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): OSHC provides health insurance for the duration of your course and it is compulsory for visa application. Australia has many health insurance providers but a popular one is Medibank which was the one I chose. My agent offered to help me to apply for OSHC but this can be done on your own too.
Medical check-up: This has to be done within 28 days of lodging your visa application. There is a detailed list of vaccinations, blood tests and X-rays needed for this section and FYI, medical students have a longer list of tests to tick off so be prepared to go through that. There are also specific medical centres to get your checks done. Note that some of the tests can be done in Australia and are not necessary for visa application but are compulsory for NSW “compliance” and hospital placements. There is a clinic in UNSW which is able to do that for you, also some of the cost of these tests are covered by OSHC. So don’t worry too much if you are unable to complete all the tests outside what is necessary for visa application as you are able to do it here in Australia. I would say, the doctors here are more familiar with the process as a lot of medical students go to them.
Biometric scan in a VFS Singapore centre: This was done to take copies of your fingerprints and face for record keeping purposes.
New South Wales Health Check Requirements: https://medprogram.med.unsw.edu.au/nsw-health-requirements#tab-303400538 All of this can be assessed through the website
UNSW Student ID card - pick up from The Nucleus: Student Hub in main library
National Police Check (+1 photocopy)
Police check from home country (+1 photocopy) or Statutory Declaration (+1 photocopy)
Code of Conduct Agreement
Tuberculosis Assessment Tool (form 2)
Student Undertaking/Declaration (form 3)
Online enrollment: Enrol online 2-3 months before term starts. This is specific to UNSW and was conveyed to me through email from the school. To enrol, you’ll need your student number (zID) and zPass (password) to log onto www.my.unsw.edu.au. You need to enrol into the following two courses for Semester 1: Medicine Teaching Period 1: MFAC1501 Foundations Medicine Teaching Period 2: MFAC1521 Beginnings, Growth & Development A They also provided some pre-departure information, general orientation information and also information on airport pick-up services for international students.
Scholarships: This is something that not everyone considers going overseas to pursue medicine. However, it is definitely a possibility. I applied under the category of UNSW Scholarships for International Students Commencing Term 1, 2023 (PUCA1029) and was offered the UNSW Alumni Association Singapore Chapter Scholarship. Do take a look at the UNSW scholarship website for more information. Though the scholarship funding is not a large amount, it doesn’t hurt to try.
This covers most of the information regarding the admissions process. A lot of this information was conveyed to me through my agent and the school.
Provide a rough timeline of key events (admissions, application for accommodations, departure / moving in)!
Accommodation: There is a wide variety of different accommodations ranging from catered/non-catered to on/off-campus accommodations. For the uninitiated, some colleges are pretty much the Australian equivalent of American fraternities. However, some are different as they’re dry (alcohol-free) whilst some are known for their social and party atmosphere. Living on campus is very convenient because you will have many early morning classes. In addition, it is a good way to start making friends with other students and get involved in the various events that are held in UNSW. On-campus accommodations are usually high in demand and the application process differs between all the housing options, so apply as soon as possible if you’re interested in living there! I’m currently staying on-campus and it’s catered. The food quality is not the best, most times it’s a hit or miss but it’s enough to suffice and it’s very convenient especially when exam season comes around. Of course, it’s also on the pricier side compared to non-catered but I think for first years, it’s recommended to get catered so that you have one less thing to worry about. However, in second year if you can find a couple of friends to share an apartment with, it’s much more affordable. Also, my college for Singapore standards, I think is more “rabak”, with a lot of clubbing, drinking events and socialising. So, if you are not up for that, please make sure to ask around about the accommodations first to get a better understanding. I recommend going through Reddit as well to get advice from people who have lived there before.
Harbour cruise, one of the first college events
Flights: Book your flight there as early as possible. This is done on your own, depending on when is your orientation or move-in date for your accommodation. It is advisable to book your flight only when your visa is approved. I arrived in Sydney two weeks before term started. The first week was spent with my parents, adjusting to the new environment and also seeing the campus with them. The second week was for moving onto campus. This week is called O-week in UNSW where I had my accommodation/college orientation. I also had the opportunity to visit a bunch of O-week stalls which had many booths on the different CCAs and booths for if you get lost and need help on campus. There are also many freebies to grab during this week so keep your eyes peeled!
General life tips
Setting up a bank: You’ll need your passport, an address, a phone number and bank documents from home to open an account. There are Commonwealth, ANZ, and Westpac ATMs scattered around campus. The choice of bank account that you open is completely up to your needs and preferences. I chose Commbank after asking around and found that it was the most suitable option. PRO TIP: If you're opening up a bank account, make sure to register for a Tax File Number (TFN) online. This will allow you to claim back any taxes that your bank deducts from your savings accounts and is also required to find work in Australia (if you want).
Setting up a mobile plan: On-campus as well as some off-campus accommodation offer internet. For those off-campus accommodations that do not supply wifi, there are many internet providers that you can choose. When choosing a plan you will have to weigh the cost with reliability along with any other particular personal wishes. Some possible internet providers are listed below with personal experiences from fellow students:
Dodo.com.au: cheap – unreliable
TPG.com.au: cheap – can be unreliable but generally pretty good
Optus.com.au: expensive – better
Telstra.com.au: expensive – better
Amaysim: cheaper options if you don't need lots of data
Personally, I applied for Optus as there was a store conveniently located in the airport when I landed. The main difference between the pricier carriers and the more inexpensive ones is the coverage. For example, if you go to more rural parts of Australia, some providers do not have sufficient coverage for those areas so there will be no signal.
Payment of school fees: Payment of tuition fees can be done through myUNSW. Once logged in, click on the "My Student Profile" tab, there will be a "Fee Statement & Payment Options" under "Financials", on the left side of the screen. Simply follow the instructions on-screen and you will see the following payment options: BPAY, Australia Post, or Internet Payment via ANZ eGate. Alternatively, you can pay your tuition fees through a wireless transfer via Western Union. Follow the instructions on https://student.unsw.edu.au/fees/pay for step-by-step instructions on how to pay your tuition fees
Public transport: The Opal card itself is free and you can load as little as $10 in it. To obtain an Opal card, you can either get it from retailers (most convenience stores/WH Smith on campus) or online (just register, add value to your Opal card and it will be mailed to you)! You can also just use any debit card/Apple Pay to tap on, so an Opal card isn't actually necessary. More info on the Opal card: https://www.opal.com.au/
Identification: If you plan on going to 18+ events, you will need a valid ID (official identification with photograph and date of birth). Passports and driver's licences are often accepted, but if you feel that it’s not safe to carry your passport/driver's licence with you to clubs/bars, you can apply for a licence or Proof of Age Card through the RTA website.
Getting in the loop: If you don’t already know, the main mode of communicating anything in Australian unis is through Facebook. There’s a bunch of Facebook groups you can join to stay in the loop on what’s going on. Here’s a couple to kick things off:
UNSW International Medicine Students Collective
UNSW Medicine Noticeboard
UNSW Medicine Class of (*your year of graduation)
Singapore Medical Society of UNSW (SMSUNSW)
Most of the events worth attending are just End-of-Course (EOC) tutorials organised by the seniors
Singapore Students’ Association for UNSW (SSA)
This is actually more active on Instagram
They have an orientation which is for all Singaporeans combining students from Australian unis in New South Wales and UNSW students from other faculties. This camp is usually held somewhere in Sydney and occurs a few weeks into the start of term. This is definitely worth attending and hands down one of the best organised orientation camps.
They also hold a bunch of networking events in Singapore before school starts in UNSW. Pro-tip: go to as many of these events as possible to meet new people and also to know some familiar faces before going to Australia.
Singapore Medical Society of Australia and New Zealand (SMSANZ)
Also more active on IG. It’s a collective student body representing Singaporean med students studying across all Australian/New Zealand medical schools.
Also have an orientation camp which takes place in Singapore before the term starts in Australia.
I’m part of the events subcommittee and you really get a lot of opportunities organising events for the students
Note: UNSW Medical society (MedSoc) also holds their own camp a few weeks into the start of term.
Camp BOOM orientation
Celebrating NDP in UNSW
Medcamp 2023
First impressions
How did it feel the first week you were there?
The first week was filled with a good mix of excitement and nerves. Coming into a new and foreign environment can definitely be intimidating but it is important to keep an open mind and be willing to try out new things, and get to know people around you. What definitely helped was knowing some of the Singaporeans from attending previous events before coming to Sydney which helped with adjusting and getting used to the new environment. Always remember that you are not the only one trying to get to know people. Everyone there is in the same position as you. As long as you are not a bad person to talk to and are willing to step outside of your comfort zone, making friends comes naturally after, which helps take the nerves away from the first week of school.
What were some of the surprises / shocks you experienced?
I guess the way that Australians socialise is different? Not that it is bad, it’s just that there are many cultural differences between Australia and Singapore so it really takes awhile to warm up and get to know someone. Also, I was shocked at the college culture in Australia, mostly due to the amount of clubbing and drinking events in my accommodation. Do note that certain accommodations tend to have more of these events and you should do your research beforehand on each college’s culture.
How did you make friends?
Before coming to Australia, there were many events held by the students’ association from Singapore, so I managed to make a number of Singaporean friends from the same uni through those networking events. In Australia, I think the best way to make friends is through your tutorial groups where you really get to spend more time with each other during class in a group setting, allowing for closer interactions. Outside of class, UNSW’s MedSoc also organises many events which you can take part in. There’s almost always something happening every week on campus so be sure to get keen! Besides this, joining clubs and societies is another way to reach out to students outside of the med community. Joining the UNSW Wandering Society for example allowed me to meet other individuals who also enjoyed hiking! Lastly, staying in a college on-campus allowed me to meet a couple of new friends as well. Living and seeing each other everyday and occasionally at college events allows for deeper connections to be formed too. As you can see, there are a ton of opportunities to meet a bunch of people from all walks of life. Don’t worry too much about this as there will always be someone you can vibe with!
My scenario group/tutorial class
UNIBUDS: Buddhist Society
Post-Barbie pic!
UNSW Wandering Society
What was the first week of school like?
The first term we started off with was Foundations where its purpose is for first years to get used to the curriculum. Foundations are assessed using a pass-fail examination. Assessments are the same kinds of tasks to be completed but the marks will not be counted towards passing or failing Phase 1 (as opposed to the subsequent 7 courses) – it must still be satisfactorily completed to move onto the next course. So, it is purely a time for the students to adjust and get used to the environment which is great! Besides that, there were a bunch of events organised by the Medicine Faculty and by MedSoc in the first week. To name a few, they are Medicine Faculty Orientation Day (O day and P day), Meet your Mentors, which is a mentoring program for international med students, and International first year welcome where first years get to meet international med students across all years.
Medicine Faculty Orientation Day (O day)
Physician’s Phursday (P day)
My first week of school looked like this:
You would usually have 2-3 lectures in the morning. Then, you may have a scenario group session which is the Singapore’s equivalent of a tutorial. This takes place twice a week, either Monday, Wednesday or Tuesday, Thursday. Finally, you have your practicals which can range from anatomy labs (seeing cadavers) to microbiology practicals. Not included in Foundations are the hospital placements which take place in BGDA (Term 2) and happen once every fortnightly. You will also have clinical skills sessions later on in Foundations which mainly teaches you how to take a patient history, and do physical examinations.
Experience
Is it lonely / scary being so far away from everything you’re familiar with in Singapore?
Frankly speaking, not really. I’m only speaking from my personal experience and this can greatly vary between people. A couple of my friends didn’t get home sick until exam season started, some were home sick at the beginning and less now. Personally when the term started, it got really busy and my time was fully occupied so I felt like I didn't get really homesick as a result. Strangely enough, I think I’m more homesick during the holidays when a couple of my friends go back home. However, I always try to occupy myself by going to events, participating in club activities, and engaging in my own interests, like hiking! The views in Australia are one of the best. Generally speaking, it is good to establish a good support network, make a couple of reliable friends whom you can confide in whenever you feel homesick or stressed. Not to worry, there are countless opportunities to make friends. Just don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, or be the first person to say hi! Also, there is a wide Singaporean community in Australia, sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’ve left home.
How’s the community like there?
To sum up, the community here is very caring and friendly! Contrary to the stereotype of what medical schools are, I think med students in UNSW are especially open with sharing notes. The seniors here really adopt a pay-it-forward approach where they will share samples of past assignments that they have done well in and also their notes for all the topics. Of course us as juniors are more than willing to do the same for future batches. In UNSW, you will also get the opportunity to be tagged with seniors where they help guide you through the transition from JC to university, providing useful hints and tips on surviving med school. This is where you get to know seniors who are local Australians or who are also international students themselves where they can provide a lot of guidance and help during this transition period. Additionally, we have something called “PASS+” where older medical students (usually Y3/4) will teach us juniors the harder topics in the course in a small group setting. This is totally optional but highly recommended. I personally found it really helpful in my learning as I was able to vocalise different key concepts to my peers and seniors, clarifying any doubts in the process. Everyone’s there to learn so there’s no need to feel bad if you get something wrong. A lot of med is about getting it wrong first before you get it right!
How’s the academics / curriculum like?
The 6 years are split into 3 phases namely:
Phase 1 - consists of eight 8-week courses in Years 1 and 2
Phase 2 - consists of clinical courses in Year 3 and the Independent Learning Project or Honours degree in Year 4
Phase 3 - consists of ten clinical courses in Years 5 and 6. Also required to take General Education courses in accordance with UNSW policy
There are 4 terms in a year, each term lasting about 2 months. For Phase 1, your learning across the terms is mainly structured in accordance to the life cycle of a human.
Year 1 Courses (2023) | Year 2 Courses (2024) |
Foundations This course will introduce you to the main modes of teaching and the styles of learning in the program Beginnings, Growth and Development – A (BGDA) Conception, pregnancy and birth Puberty, adolescence, sexuality and relationships Health Maintenance – B (HMB) Education, health promotion, and disease prevention Lifestyle factors that risk health Ageing and Endings – A (AEA) Menopause The ageing process | Society and Health Society, culture and genes Socioeconomic determinants of health Health delivery systems Health and human rights Beginnings, Growth and Development – B (BDGB) Nutrition, growth, and body image Childhood growth and development Health Maintenance – A (HMA) Homeostasis, sustenance, and equilibrium Host defence Ageing and Endings – B (AEB) Degenerative disease Death, dying and palliative care |
Phase 1 (Y1 and Y2)
The information below includes further information from the UNSW MedSoc website: https://medsoc.org.au/phase-summaries/phase-1/
Scientific disciplines | Clinical skills | Typical timetable |
Anatomy Histology Physiology Pathology Pharmacology Microbiology | Basic history-taking Examination skills **The emphasis is not on diagnosing or treating problems but on practising the skills necessary to do so by recognising the normal and the abnormal | First 7 weeks of each course consist of: Weekly breakdown: 6 – 8 hours of lectures 4 – 6 hours of practicals 2 – 3 hours of clinical/communication tutorials 4 hours of scenario group sessions 1 – 2 hours of tutorials (anything from ethics to pathology) The 8th week is purely for exam preparation |
Structure (for Phase 1)
Each term or course in Phase 1 is assessed in the following:
Individual Assignment (due Week 5) & Group Project (due Week 7)
Grades received for each assignment:
Fail
P- (Low Pass)
P (Credit or Distinction)
P+ (High Distinction)
End of Course Exam (usually Week 8)
Sections:
40 MCQs (1 mark each)
3 SAQs (20 marks each)
Failure of two or more exams within a year requires:
Repeating that year
Sitting supplementary exams
At the end of Phase 1, there are 4 barrier assessments in which you must achieve at least a P- in order to proceed to Phase 2:
End of Phase Exam
A large multiple choice theory exam covering material from all 8 courses. Material from Foundations is not directly examined but most of it appears in the other courses, from where it can be examined.
Phase 1 Portfolio
At the beginning of Year 3, a 3500 word reflective essay about your learning and development in each of the 8 graduate capabilities over Phase 1 must be completed.
OSCE
The OSCE or Objective Structured Clinical Examination is a clinical skills exam covering history taking and basic examination skills on actors, covering material from all 8 courses.
Progressive Practical Exam
The practical exams consist of three components, held at the end of Year 1 and the end of each semester in Year 2. An overall pass (75/150) is required in each of the following discipline areas:
Anatomy and neuroanatomy
Microbiology, biochemistry and genetics
Histology, histopathology and embryology
Physiology and pharmacology
How are CCAs like overseas?
CCAs in JC are different from that in Australian unis or even university in general. In Australia, when you join a society, you are not expected to turn up for CCA sessions regularly, as in JC. Instead, there will be multiple events rolled out by the club and you may join whichever event depending on your interest. To be more heavily involved in a club/society, you may join to become a subcommittee member or exco member to take part in the planning of events, requiring more time and commitment.
Is it safe? Are there strikes and protests?
I’ve seen protests happening on campus and the city. They are mostly civil in nature, just don’t engage with them and they won’t disturb you.
What are your weekly expenses like? How much do you spend on leisure and travel as well?
I guess if you live on campus and have catered food, there is no need to travel to campus for classes or spend on meal expenses. That cuts out a large part of spending. If you are eating out however, a meal would easily reach $15-20 AUD. In terms of leisure, do look out for student deals and activities offered by the uni’s student collective (called “Arc” in UNSW) at a discounted price. The amount spent on leisure really depends on the activity. Regarding travel, there are a few modes of transport in Sydney: light rail, train, bus, metro (only for rural) and ferry. To pay for transportation, they are all accessible by tapping your Opal card or debit card. Transportation in Sydney is pricier than Singapore. Expect it to be 2-3 times the price of adult fare in Singapore. Besides leisure or food, you would be spending on your mobile plan (roughly $20/mth). There are also other optional expenses as well like a gym membership which costs $18 in UNSW.
Advice
Any advice that you would like to give to juniors who are interested in studying abroad?
If there is one thing that you should take away from this article is that you are not alone in all of this. Truthfully, there are many hurdles and procedures to go through to get to where you want to be but there is always help given along the way so don’t be afraid to reach out whenever you feel stuck!
FYI for those coming to Sydney or doing med in UNSW, here’s a general packing list that you can reference:
General Clothing
Get your summer and winter clothes ready! When you arrive in Sydney in February, the weather is going to be blazing hot. Summer is much drier than South East Asia regions, and a hot summer’s day can well be in the high 30°Cs! However, the days start to cool down at the end of May and temperatures will reach around 4-5°C at the lowest.
Housewares
Housewares are available for purchase in the local stores such as K-mart, Coles, Target and Big W. If you bring any electronic devices from home, don’t forget about adapters/power converters (they are difficult to buy here so do bring multiple adapters + an extension cord).
Hospital Clothing
Prepare a few sets of formal clothes, pencil skirts, dress pants and enclosed shoes, as professional attire will be expected in any clinical setting (no jeans or sports shoes).
During Phase 1, you only visit the hospital once a fortnight, but in Phase 2, you’ll be going to hospital regularly.
You might want to consider buying a lab coat (or two, one to be destroyed in pub crawl, we have a lab coat signing event for all first years in the first scrub crawl of the year) since half of the Practicals in Phase 1 will require a lab coat. As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to get all the clothing apparels before arriving at Sydney because shopping here can be expensive.
Other important information:
Documentation
Here is a list of essential documents that you’ll need when moving to Sydney:
Identification documents: Passport, Driver’s licence, birth certificate (optional)
Printed copies of your CoE
NSW Health Bulk Compliance Checking: Medical records, Vaccination card, police certificate
You will need these in many situations, such as setting up your bank accounts and phone plan.
Textbooks and Medical Equipment
For Phase I, most of the lectures have lecture notes provided and textbooks are generally available in libraries both online and in hard copies, so you don't need to buy any textbooks. In terms of medical equipment, it’s better to buy a good stethoscope from the start. It’s a good investment since you’d want it to last for your whole degree. I recommend the 3M Littmann Classic III Stethoscope. Do also purchase a pen torch (any brand is fine!).
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