Vivian Tran traded the streets of inner Melbourne for the tropics of the Northern Territory during her student placement supported by Flinders University.
“I didn’t know what to expect coming to Darwin,” says Vivian, who studies Bachelor of Pharmacy at Monash University. “But I was eager to learn about Indigenous health and experience a healthcare setting outside my comfort zone.”
Exploring healthcare beyond Victoria
Vivian applied through a university rural placement opportunity. What she found was a clinical learning experience unlike any she had before. Each day she shadowed a hospital pharmacist, rotating through different wards and gaining hands-on practice in applying her classroom knowledge to real-world patient care.
“It was eye-opening to see how protocols vary across demographics and settings between Victoria and the Territory,” she reflects.
Learning through hands-on experience
The placement exposed Vivian to the realities of rural and remote health. She observed the unique challenges and strengths of NT healthcare and gained a deeper appreciation for culturally responsive care, especially in Indigenous contexts.
Outside of work, weekends were filled with discovery. “I made the most of every moment. From local markets to national parks such as Kakadu and Litchfield, those experiences were just as memorable as the clinical ones.”
More than just a placement
For Vivian, the placement wasn’t just a study requirement. It was an experience that reshaped her perspective on pharmacy and its many pathways. “This was a chance to learn, contribute meaningfully, and explore one of Australia’s most unique regions.”
What’s next for Vivian? “I’m excited to pursue clinical pharmacy in my intern year. And who knows? I might find myself back in the NT in the not-so-distant future.”