Student Highlights
Combining politics and health to support those in need

For the past five years Avni Arisha Kumar has been an Associate and Executive Member with a prominent Sydney NGO which provides support to underprivileged children overseas.

When it came to choosing a career path, she knew she wanted to combine her strong interest in politics, medicine and not-for-profit work – with that, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).

“I’ve had a strong interest in politics and medicine all my life. By undertaking a Bachelor of Speech Pathology I’ve been able to explore the importance of speech pathologists in healthcare, schools and rehabilitation settings.

“The program covers all of my interests from psychology, biomedical science and anatomy to linguistics, speech and language.

“For me, the psychology units were what drew me in, however I’ve since found that my interest is in medicine – specifically traumatic brain injury and cognitive communication disorder rehabilitation,” Avni Arisha said.

In finding ways to make a difference wherever she can, Avni Arisha has not only been accepted to the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI) as a Student Ambassador but she also represented Australia as a Peace Ambassador at the 2018 United Nations (Humanitarian Affairs Asia) Peace Summit of Emerging Leaders in Bangkok.

And Avni Arisha has big goals for the future.

“The degree is highly flexible in terms of where I can work. I can work with children, adults, open my own clinic, work in a public hospital or even volunteer overseas as a speech pathologist.

“I hope to pursue further study by doing a Masters in traumatic brain injury after I finish my undergraduate degree and in my fourth year, I would like to do an international placement in Fiji to gain experience with a different cultural population.

“After completing my study, I want to pursue volunteer work in countries needing speech pathology services so that I can provide education – potentially starting my own NGO which supports speech pathology services internationally where the profession is lacking,” Avni Arisha said.

Study a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)

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Avni Kumar

Avni Arisha Kumar wanted to combine her strong interest in politics, health and not-for-profit work – with that, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours).

The degree is highly flexible in terms of where I can work. I can work with children, adults, open my own clinic, work in a public hospital or even volunteer overseas as a speech pathologist.