A fairytale and university study may seem an unusualpairing but forGriffith student Tahlia Rossia Heron Island field trip was just that.
There were no glass slippers to be found but flippers were the footwear of choice for students diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
Tahlia is studying a double degree,Urban & Environmental Planning and Science with a double major in Marine Biology and Climate Change Adaption, so real world experience that puts the skills she’s learning into action was the perfect environment for her.
The marine field course sees students embark on a week-long science experience at Heron Island on the reef where they undertake research projects as part of their degree.
Having been “deeply inspired by nature and learning of its intricate functions and beauty”, Tahlia has always been excited by the concept of contributing knowledge through research.
She’s hoping to bring a science background to a career in urban planning to give hermore credibility and the knowledge and ability to collaborate with people in other disciplines.
Her degrees have given her amazing opportunities as well as allowing her to work as aResearch Assistant at Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation. Tahlia will alsorepresent Griffith at the 2016 Advance Global Australian Summit at the Sydney Opera House as a mentee.
“It has been inspiring to be given so many opportunities like going on exchange to the University of Copenhagen for one year, attending a sustainability summit in Singapore, going on thisresearch trip to Heron Island, receiving training in mentoring, resume writing, communication skills and presentation skills,” she says.
“I have been challenged by the length of my degree and the difficulty of some of the science subjects, but on the other hand, to overcome these challenges gives me confidence and strength.”
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Visit these links to find out more aboutstudying marine science and urban and environmental planningat Griffith.
