The University of Notre Dame Australia

Robert

Bachelor of Law

Law student Robert says that apart from creating a more intimate learning environment, the compact size of Notre Dame’s Broadway campus also helps to produce a stronger bond between students and their lecturers. ‘I believe that the best way to learn is by engaging in class and in larger universities this becomes difficult,’ he says. ‘Notre Dame’s small class sizes are perfect for personally engaging with the teacher and the rest of the class.’ Robert, who grew up on the south coast of New South Wales, says he has also benefitted from the School of Law’s emphasis on problem-solving. ‘I have been taught how to critically analyse real-life scenarios, identify issues and give advice’, he says. ‘The only way that you can know when an issue has arisen is if you know the law. I love that combination of knowledge and analytical skill.’ As for the future, Robert has not decided what area of the law to specialise in – although he has developed a strong interest in Criminal Law. ‘My interests are still pretty broad, but the life-changing aspect of the criminal law interests me, so I hope to work as a criminal lawyer one day.’

Sophie

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

In her Honours year of a Bachelor of Arts degree, Canberra-raised student Sophie is already relishing the prospect of teaching theatre to a new generation of high school students – and sharing her passion for William Shakespeare. ‘I would love to complete a Masters in both Education and Shakespearean studies’, says Sophie. ‘Drama is an engaging way to also teach history, art and ethics, so I would like to pursue something that involved both education and the theatre.’ Sophie credits the small class sizes, inspirational lecturers and the supportive culture at Notre Dame’s Sydney campus for giving her the confidence to pursue theatre studies. ‘The idea of attending a big university was quite daunting,’ she says. ‘I wanted to study somewhere that would give me one-on-one time with my lecturers. And I love the fact that my theatre classes are capped at 25 people. By creating close-knit groups like this, it makes developing and creating [performance] pieces so much easier.’

Emmanuel

Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery

Improving health inequity and advocating for refugee health and wellbeing is the ambition of Emmanuel in his future career as a doctor. Born in Rwanda and having lived as a refugee for most of his life, Emmanuel has experienced the reality of health inequity. The aspiring humanitarian doctor is studying a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at The University of Notre Dame Australia's Sydney Campus. ‘Doctors have a role to play in helping people that is not just about the medicine. Doctors have that privilege that people listen to them. It is important to use that privilege in ways other than just medicine — like advocacy,’ Emmanuel said. Emmanuel advocates for refugee health and wellbeing through education of the Australian community. His passion also extends to rural medicine and Indigenous health and inequalities in public health. ‘My dream was to become a doctor, and my first choice was Notre Dame, I wasn’t wrong, I love it here,’ Emmanuel said. ‘The course is centred on social justice and they train you to serve where you are needed, and that comes across in our cases, where it is about helping the patient,’ Emmanuel said. ‘I like the university’s community focus and because we are a very small cohort, we all know each other and that includes the Dean.’