However, when La Trobe University’s Shepparton campus offered Associate Degree of Teacher Education for the first time, her decision became infinitely clearer.
Bethany, 19, is a first-year education student, studying at the Shepparton La Trobe campus with dreams of becoming a primary school teacher.
She is a born and bred Shepparton girl, and having this course offered in her own town has had its benefits.
“I’m really grateful to have opportunities here,” Bethany said.
“I’m able to finance, stay at home and build up that post-uni life while studying where I grew up.”
She started her course this year and has already been welcomed by the university’s community.
“It has been brilliant so far,” she said.
“It is definitely a tight-knit, smaller community feel.
“Everyone is there to help you, always up for a chat.”
She said the community’s support had uplifted her on her educational journey.
“It’s great because we are in such a community, you sort of feel like you’ve been given even more of an advantage being on a smaller campus.
“You have more access to people, it has a more one-on-one feel to learning.”
Bethany has loved her course and encourages people looking to further their education to look into La Trobe’s Shepparton campus.
“I would definitely recommend education courses at La Trobe as it is a great way to stay local,” she said.
“Being able to keep those connections to past primary schools and high schools gives you an insight into what a career as an educator in this region looks like.”
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