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Student shares gifts with community

5 March 2008

Yun on her Cook Islands teaching placement with the Faculty of Education.

Peninsula campus international student Hsiang-Yun Chou believes stepping out of her comfort zone was extremely valuable in helping her make a good transition and says students should become part of the community, rather than isolate themselves.

Yun, who spent time last year on a teaching placement in the Cook Islands, believes in using her abilities to help others.

Yun was born and schooled in Singapore and moved to Australia to undertake tertiary study three years ago.

She speaks Mandarin and has taken on a role as a bilingual translator for the Free Kindergarten Association (FKA).

"I work in early childcare settings, usually in the Frankston Area," Yun said.

Yun was volunteering at the FKA, helping with administration work, when her language abilities were discovered.

She now assists children from migrant families to adapt to the kindergarten setting and advises parents on maintaining their native tongue at home while helping their children to embrace English.

Yun also volunteers at Frankston Hospital, doing art and craft with young patients.

"Even something as simple as blowing bubbles with them makes an impact on their day," she said.

Yun was put onto the volunteering opportunity by retired Education lecturer Bob Greaves, who also volunteers at the hospital.

"It's all about finding your interest -- I like to help people," Yun said.

Yun's goal after completing her Monash degree is to study speech pathology.