University Experience for Rural CEFA Students

Students from eight rural NSW high schools recently travelled to Sydney to experience university life, courtesy of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Macquarie University.

The participants were invited by their schools and local education foundations to attend the University Experience Program, as part of their foundations’ membership with CEFA.

CEFA received generous funding from UTS and Macquarie University to make the trip possible and to expose the students, some of whom had never travelled to Sydney, to the city lifestyle and the realms of possibilities open to them in applying to attend university once they finish high school.

UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Teaching, Learning and Equity Professor Shirley Alexander said it was important that universities, industry and regional communities work together to provide country and regional school children with city-based university experiences.

"Coming from a NSW regional town myself, I really appreciate how important it is for young people to be challenged in creative, positive ways to think about where life could lead them after the HSC,” Professor Alexander said.

The students spent one day visiting the UTS campus at Broadway, taking part in faculty workshops of their preference, meeting students from Sydney schools and current university students and touring the self-contained student accommodation. The following day, they travelled by coach to the Macquaire University campus in North Ryde to explore another university. Whilst at Macquarie, the participants enjoyed various workshops, saw the college-style accommodation and sporting facilities and were even treated to an ice-skating adventure.

According to Macquarie University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Social Inclusion) Professor Gail Whiteford, the university visits intended to broaden students' perceptions of the educational possibilities open to them and the career options available by choosing higher education.

"When you're in a rural environment, choice can seem limited. In addition, you may be the first in the family to attend a university and there may be financial concerns and worries about what life would be like in a large city. Both Macquarie and UTS would like to be able to offer these students a place to study, the potential for a scholarship and a place to live at the same time,” Professor Whiteford said.

The four-day trip also included a visit to the Apple Store for the students to learn about various techniques for compiling and producing their video diaries of the excursion using loaned Apple i-pods and Macbooks, an new initiative to this program supported by the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Additional activities included dining at Malaysian, Italian and Chinese restaurants to allow the students to taste a variety of cuisines; catching the monorail for a tour of the city area; visiting Darling Harbour; performing in a very talented talent quest and even meeting some celebrities!