Karen Guo (Qinmo)
2nd-year student, Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and Biomedical Science
Curiosity and purpose is why she decided to study science, says Karen Guo (Qinmo) who is studying a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and Biomedical Science.
“After being in the workforce for almost a decade I decided to return to study to live up to my full potential. Biology, especially genetics, has always been my greatest interest as it has the answers to many aspects of life and proposes even more questions for discovery. My father’s influence as a doctor also helped me to develop an interest in medicine, so studying biological and biomedical science perfectly aligns with my aspirations of working in research, particularly in the fields of molecular genetics or biomedicine.”
Deciding to come to AUT for her studies was easy for her.
“AUT is known for the smaller class sizes, hands-on laboratory classes and integrated work opportunities in some courses. Among the several universities I was considering, AUT also stood out for how easy it was to talk to a future student advisor. The advisor I had, Helen Fonua, was direct, helpful and offered the guidance I needed. I took her advice and started by studying two standalone courses to prepare me for studying the Bachelor of Science and was able to cross-credit these courses to my bachelor’s degree later on.”
An enjoyable journey
She has thoroughly enjoyed her studies so far, says Karen who is proud of achieving A+ or A grades for all her courses so far.
“I’ve appreciated the ease of accessing study materials and the hands-on learning through the frequent lab sessions. The professors, lecturers and teaching assistants are incredibly approachable and always willing to answer any questions, no matter how many I have. I’ve enjoyed making friends from diverse backgrounds, and AUT's facilities meet all my needs; making it a comfortable and supportive learning environment.”
Studying in another language does have its challenges, she admits.
“My biggest challenge has been writing essays and reports since English is my second language. However, the writing workshops offered both in the on-campus library and online have been invaluable. They’ve helped me understand paragraph structure and referencing better, improving my academic writing skills.”
Advice for other students
Now in the second year of her studies, Karen has some great advice for other students.
My advice is to stay curious, ask questions and take full advantage of the resources available. Be open to learning from both your professors and your peers.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT’s Bachelor of Science to other students.
“The quality of education, supportive staff and hands-on experiences have made my learning experience very rewarding.”
