For country students, picking your life up and moving to the city requires acclimatisation. Clare Valley student Paige Klingner, moved a mere 100 kms ‘just down the road’ to study science at The University of Adelaide, and it was still a big change.
Everything changed, but I loved it. It allowed me to grow and blossom into an independent adult, but I am still learning along the way.
Meet Paige
CEF grant recipient and Audi Foundation-CEF Scholar
Hometown:
Clare, SA
Local Foundation:
Wool, Wine & Wheat Country Education Fund
Attending:
University of Adelaide
Studying:
Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology
“City and university life is very different from the country life. I’ve made many new friends and begun to adapt. It’s different from high school, as I can completely focus on my interests and it’s up to me to make the most of my time there.
“I also had to learn how to budget, look after the house and balance hobbies with studies.”
WHAT WAS O WEEK AND MAKING FRIENDS LIKE FOR YOU?
“O Week was both difficult and easy. I had to put myself out there, create group chats, join clubs and committees and organise meet ups with people from my course.
“I forced myself to make friends and try new things. I just kept telling myself everyone was in the same boat. I believe it is because of this effort that I still feel connected to the Uni of Adelaide, whereas others may not.”
UNIVERSITY LIFE SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
“The university was very good about changing to an online version of study and consistently checking in to ensure we were on the right track. It has made learning much harder after only having a couple of weeks of contact,” she recalled.
“The student body was aware of what was going on and that safety was the priority. The uni made it clear what we needed to do if a student contracted the virus. We didn’t panic but took the necessary steps to ensure others safety.”
PAIGE HAS A NOTABLE GIFT IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE
Ranking biology as her favourite branch of science, Paige hopes to one day specialise in disease prevention or Zoology.
“I have selected a wide range of sciences which includes chemistry, biology and geology. I did this to ensure I don’t miss any opportunity or if I happen to find my passion in an area I hadn’t previously considered.”
Paige earned the opportunity to represent Australia at the 2019 Global Youth Science Forum in Heidelberg, Germany. The experience has inspired her to look to genetics as an advanced subject to study.
“The forum was very interesting as I worked with people from many cultures. I now truly understand how science is a universal language. I loved being able to compare my lifestyle (school, home, future studies) with my new friends from other countries.”
I love that we can learn by what we see but also by what we can’t see in the environment.
I love that as I learn more, I find that I really know nothing.
Biology directly impacts all of us and helps me understand how we came to be where we are now.
RECOGNITION OF PAIGE’S DEDICATION
Clare Valley’s Wool, Wine & Wheat Country Education Fund recognised Paige’s dedication to her studies and awarded a $4000 CEF grant. So impressed, they also nominated her for one of four 2020 Audi Foundation – CEF Scholarships worth $2500.
“Paige was selected as she demonstrated passion and commitment to achieving her goals. She is community minded, with an impressive track record of volunteering and wants to inspire her siblings as the first in family to attend university.” CEF Student and Partnerships, Emma Burns.
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