Ella Ceolin
Bachelor of Science '18, Doctor of Medicine '22

I went on the 2014 Health Science Camp. It was advertised to me by a teacher's aide at my high school, who took a special interest in Indigenous students.

I had an amazing time on the camp. It was over the school holidays and I wondered if I was silly to be giving up my free time to explore pathways after high school, but going on the camp turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. It was a pivotal point for me, when I decided to pursue medicine as a career.

The camp explored all of the different health science courses offered by UQ. It opened my eyes to the different health fields that exist, what working in them looks like and discussed the pathways and supports systems that exist within the university for Indigenous students. The camp also incorporated a lot of cultural activities and social events like going to movie world!

Since going on the health science camp, I went on to complete a Bachelor of Science degree and the Doctor of Medicine program at UQ. I'm now a junior doctor working in Central Queensland and am very passionate about health equity and working with Indigenous peoples to strive for better health outcomes.

I'm also passionate about education and advocating for young Indigenous people to consider tertiary study, especially in medicine - we need more Indigenous doctors.

I would thoroughly encourage anyone even remotely considering this camp. I remember how anxious I was initially to attend, so much so that I nearly called in sick and didn't want to go.

It was honestly a life changing experience for me and I am so thankful to my younger self for having the courage and independence to step outside my comfort zone and attend the InspireU camp.

Laura Lucchesi-Jenke

I became involved in the InspireU program through an Indigenous teacher at my school, who introduced and helped me apply for the Spring Camp. I had a really great experience at the camp as it was my first time ever going to Brisbane.

Over the course of the camp we learnt about economics, we were taught how to successfully run a business, and what studying and working in a law environment is like.

We also had the opportunity to go to the Supreme Court and were able to sit in on some of the cases, and I got to visit a corporate law firm. I really enjoyed my interactions with the Indigenous lawyers and learning about their careers was very insightful.

If you think you want to participate in the InspireU camp, I would recommend that you do it, especially if you're unsure on what you want to do when leave school.

It is a great opportunity that gave me insight on other career pathways and helped me to build connections with new people.

Angus Loft
Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Science student

I participated in the InspireU program in year 11 at the Health Science Camp in 2019 and I became further involved when I came to UQ as a student. I have now been a regular ambassador since 2021.

I have really enjoyed encouraging InspireU participants to get involved in all the activities, to explore all the great UQ opportunities, and to make friends and connections for their longer-term future.

My experience in the program was amazing! It was a big eye-opener about the possibilities surrounding university. We experienced life at college for a week, explored several disciplines within health and biomedical sciences and met several new people. My favourite part of the camp would have to be going to UQ's Herston campus for Medicine and Dentistry and the activities they set up.

Before InspireU, I had a vague idea of what I wanted to pursue. But after the program, it really pointed me in the right direction and helped me set in stone exactly what I wanted. I’m now currently in my last semester of a Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences degree, and in high school I was fortunate to gain provisional entry into a UQ Medicine degree and will be starting that next year.

I still regularly see and work with a couple of people from my time at camp. It’s nostalgic to think back on our experiences, and amazing to have formed long term friendships.

I would advise anyone on the camp or considering it to just put yourself out there. Get to know everyone and make the most of the experience. There’s no such thing as a silly question and the InspireU team is fantastic. They will assist in any way they can.

Preston Lehman

My teachers at school told me about the InspireU program, and I am so glad they did because I had an amazing time at the camp. I would definitely do it again. I really enjoyed meeting new people and also enjoyed going to the Supreme Court in the city and having the opportunity to sit in on a real case.

Being on this camp has opened my eyes to the possibilities available to me and now know I want to do a degree in nursing, as it is something I have a passion for.

For anybody who wishes to attend an InspireU Camp, the advice I would like to give is to have fun and to not be nervous, as everyone really makes you feel at home.

On the very first day you will get to meet other students who are on a similar pathway. You will have fun, but most of all I would say take advantage of this opportunity and make sure you get the most out of it that you possibly can.

Amy Burnie

My school and my sister introduced me to the InspireU program.

I had a great experience on the Spring Camp. I made lots of new friends and connections and I really enjoyed the interactive activities. It was great to be able to speak to current students, facilitators and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff and ask questions.

I am very passionate about health and psychology, and this camp gave me a better understanding of my future and built my knowledge about the University.

Some advice I would give to anyone attending these camps is to enjoy every aspect and really make the most of it. This is your opportunity to learn as much as you possibly can about the pathways and degrees available to you.

It also makes the transition from school to university much easier, as you have already established relationships, understand the courses on offer and know your way around the campus.