How to Study Pharmacy in Australia and Prepare for the APEC Exam

March 23, 2011

When choosing an Australian pharmacy school you have many choices.  Charles Stuart University, the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, and the University of Tasmania are some of the most popular choices when it comes to pharmacy programs. One thing that you will want to look at is the size of the program and the university itself.  Be sure that you are going to be able to get the one on one attention that you are looking for.

Currently the job market for pharmacists is strong.  In fact, in Australia there are a great deal of pharmacist positions available, but before you can get one of those positions you are going to need to pass the APEC exam.

The APEC exam is the professional designation given by the Australian Pharmacy Evaluation Committee.  The APEC exam is designed to test your knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the science behind the pharmacy. The APEC exam is definitely tough, and generally requires students to be very dedicated in their exam preparation.  Be aware that simply getting your degree is not always enough to pass the APEC exam.

There are several ways to prepare for the APEC exam. Your university education is the foundation, but many people find that additional preparation is necessary. There are APEC preparation courses and study aids on the market that will help you to prepare. These courses are designed to specifically train you in how the test is formatted, and what you need to do to properly answer each question.  One of the best places to look for help is the site ApecExam.com.  This site is wonderful because it offers a variety of different test preparation options, including some free options.

You may also want to look into some of the online study forums. For example, on StudyConnect.com there is an active discussion forum specifically about Pharmacy Schools in Australia and the APEC exam. This site allows you to learn from other people’s experiences as well as post your own questions and concerns about how to study pharmacy in Australia and prepare for the APEC exam.

About the author: Barbra Sundquist is the founder of WriteABio.com which provides instant fill-in-the-blank bio templates for students or other professionals who need to write a bio. Visit WriteABio.com to see sample bios or to purchase a bio that gets the results you want.

Tips for Studying in Australia to Become a Teacher

February 6, 2011

Thinking of studying to become a teacher? Always dreamed of studying overseas? If so, you are not alone. Studying in a new country is a great way to get your education while experiencing something new and exciting.

In Australia, you have two main choices when it comes to securing your teaching certification. Your first option is to get a four year undergraduate degree with a major in teaching. This is a common requirement in many countries for getting a teaching certification, so it probably doesn’t surprise you.

Your other option for getting a teaching certification in Australia is to pursue a general degree that only takes three years to achieve. However, that alone will not certify you to head into the classroom. Additionally, you are going to need to seek a postgraduate program that is geared towards teaching. Typically, this will take you an additional one to two years to achieve.

There are many different universities in Australia that offer teacher training education. When choosing a university, think about which school would be the best fit for you in terms of location as well as curriculum. After all, if you’re studying in Australia you may as well be in a beautiful beach location where you can surf in your time off!

Another thing to consider is the size of the university. Are you comfortable studying at a large institution that has lots of choice of programs, or would you prefer a smaller school where you might get more individual attention. And finally, you cannot forget about your budget. Tuition is only part of the cost – you also need to consider travel costs (will you be wanting to travel home at school breaks?) and the cost of food and accommodation in the various locations.

The most important consideration about studying in Australia to become a teacher is to find a school that offers a program that sets you on fire. Take a look at the classes offered. If you are excited about the program you’re more likely to throw yourself into it wholeheartedly, and that will set you up for educational success and a bright future in your chosen career.

About the author: Barbra Sundquist is the founder of WriteABio.com which provides instant fill-in-the-blank bio templates for students or other professionals who need to write a bio. Visit WriteABio.com to see sample bios or to purchase a bio that gets the results you want.

Fun Things to Do in Brisbane

May 19, 2010

Life’s great for students in Brisbane. With year-round good weather, lots of recreational opportunities, and an active cultural scene, you’ll never run out of fun things to do. Here are some favourite Brisbane areas and activities.

The Sunnybank area

The Asian district of Sunnybank has many good shops with interesting imported goods and super cheap restaurants. You’ll find that Brisbane is quite multicultural, which should not be surprising since Australia is a multicultural country. But back to Sunnybank. There are lots of good Asian shops there and the very famous YumCha seafood restaurants. For more recommendations check out the Brisbane’s Budget Bites book, by Mei Yen Chua, which has an entire chapter dedicated to Brisbane’s best Yum Cha venues.

The Southbank area

Be sure to visit the Southbank area. It has nice swimming pools (for kids and family) and is a great place for snapshots of the city. From Southbank, you can catch a CityCat ferry across to the city.

Ride the river ferries

CityCats are a popular way to travel around Brisbane. There are also CityFerries which are are smaller and make more stops than CityCats. Popular ferry destinations include South Bank, St Lucia, New Farm, West End, Hamilton, Bulimba, Toowong and the city.

CityCats operate from 5.25am to 12.55am every day and bonus! the entire CityCat fleet is fitted with WiFi technology.

Bike riding

Bike riding around the city and Botanical Gardens is a must-do! You can hire the bikes in the Botanical Gardens for $17 an hour…definitely worth it. It never snows in Brisbane, so the biking is great year-round.

Libraries

If you’re a book-lover, the libraries in Brisbane are great. The State Library is particularly impressive. It’s five levels and a beautifully designed building. Great place for research and study, although you can’t borrow the books. They are meant to be used inside the library only. Many Brisbane libraries have regular special events such as history and author talks, seminars and workshops.

About the author: Barbra Sundquist is the founder of BioTemplates.com which provides instant fill-in-the-blank bio templates for students or other professionals who need to write a short bio. Visit BioTemplates to see sample bios or to purchase a bio that gets the results you want.

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