Karen Phillips
Student
Bachelor of Teaching (Primary),
Theatre Studies
Double your degree, double your options and in only four years.
Just ask Karen Phillips. Aspiring to be a teacher, she is following her passion studying in the BTchg (Prim) programme at the University of Otago and as well is completing a BA in Theatre Studies.
"I came to Otago because it offered me the chance to combine both Teaching and Theatre Studies at the same time. By bringing Theatre Studies into the classroom, I want to encourage children to learn more about their own personal expression and development of self-esteem."
For Karen, theatre also offers the chance for her own personal growth. Now, not only does she get to put on face paint and sit in a director's chair and get grades for it, she's found the door has swung open to secondary teaching as well. With a double degree she will have access to both primary and secondary positions, as well as an increased salary in schools.
She loves her BTchg (Prim) course especially as she is learning with the same small group of people which means she can form close relationships both with fellow students and lecturers.
"You get to know them well. It's very personal."
And she loves her Otago lifestyle.
"It's such a cool lifestyle down here as well. I wouldn't have it any other way. Being a student is the best thing I've ever done."